Is it legal to write instant message software that implements MSN Messener, Yahoo! Messener, or AIM protocols and receive money for it through ads?
+5
A:
Part 4 of the MSN Terms of Use says this (shortened down):
4 How You May Not Use the Service.
use any unauthorized third party software or service to access the Microsoft instant messaging network (currently known as the .NET Messenger Service);
So I would say that ads or no ads, you won't be allowed to connect to their network with anything but Live Messenger, because they don't publish an API, so the only authorized client is their own.
Lasse V. Karlsen
2008-12-20 09:56:52
That was quick, thanks (someone can vote this up). I will check the other docs but I guess they probably have similar clauses...
nc
2008-12-20 09:58:08
A:
Stackoverflow is not a layer; Stackoverflow is not your laywer; only your lawyer may provide legal advice. Do not ask Stackoverflow for legal advice.
A lot of people do it; Pidgin, Adium, Meebo, etc. Ask your lawyer if it happens to be legal where you live. Just because MSN posts something on there site saying you can't do it doesn't mean its illegal.
derobert
2008-12-20 10:33:08
And would someone who is voting this down care to say why? I'd like to improve my answers, but that's hard to do w/o constructive feedback.
derobert
2008-12-21 03:44:09
Lawyers are not the only people who can give legal advice, everybody can! The author of the question wants to discuss the various Terms of Use for the mentioned products. This is relevant, when the program you're developing might touch the terms.
Gerrit
2008-12-28 21:25:18
@Gerrit: I hope you're kidding. At least where I live (Virginia), and most (all?) other states, giving legal advice w/o being a lawyer is called unauthorized practice of law, and is a crime.
derobert
2008-12-30 18:54:20
A:
They can block/kick you off the network, if you violate the ToS. Thats probably the only thing they will do, because its both easy and effective for them.
Because you've violated the ToS, there's no point in suing Microsoft for blocking your service. It depends of the country you live in, if they can claim anything from you. But as long as you're not a big company, suing you will not be profitable for them.
Gerrit
2008-12-28 21:28:50