Shoutbox

Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? - Printable Version

-Shoutbox (https://shoutbox.menthix.net)
+-- Forum: MsgHelp Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=58)
+--- Forum: Messenger Plus! for Skype (/forumdisplay.php?fid=48)
+---- Forum: Skype Plus! General (/forumdisplay.php?fid=50)
+----- Thread: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? (/showthread.php?tid=98910)

Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Honestly on 02-15-2012 at 04:09 PM

3. License

3.1 Subject to Your compliance with these API Terms, Skype grants to You a limited, non-exclusive, non-assignable, non-sublicensable, non-transferable right to use the Skype Desktop API for a Permitted Purpose, as defined in paragraph 3.3 below.

4. Restrictions

4.2 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you shall ensure that Your Software Application or Hardware Device (as applicable):

(viii) does not attempt to modify the Internet Communications Software user interface in any way (“User Interface”);

4.3 Without the prior written consent of Skype, You will not remove or hide (save as permitted in API command "set silent_mode on"), modify, take over or otherwise alter the User Interface. At all times, You will comply with the requirements and specifications relating to application design and use and presentation as stated in Paragraph 5 below.

5. Branding and Marketing

5.1 You hereby specifically acknowledge that Your rights to use the Skype Desktop API are strictly subject to Your full compliance with these API Terms, including the following instructions related to promotion, marketing and design of Your Software Application or Hardware Device (as applicable), and any breach of any provision of these API Terms or any applicable Additional Terms shall give rise to automatic right of termination by Skype.

6. At all times, You must constantly monitor the Skype Website to ensure You are aware of any changes in the API Terms, the Skype Terms of Use or any other applicable Additional Terms. In the event You cannot agree on any changes in any applicable legal document, You will immediately cease any and all use of the Skype Desktop API and, where applicable, any and all use of the Internet Communications Software.

From: http://developer.skype.com/certify-market/legal/d...p-api/terms-of-use


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Spunky on 02-15-2012 at 04:11 PM

The user interface is not altered in anyway. There is an additional windows that docks to Skype. This is not against the T&C's


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Honestly on 02-15-2012 at 04:25 PM

That's not what this picture shows here on your own web page, note that the window the black arrow is pointing to is a Skype client window. This would be impossible to do, without modfiying the Skype "User Interface", because there is no support for displaying your own pictures/animation of any kind in the Skype "User Interface" windows and the Skype Desktop API has no methods of doing this as well. Even if this were being done by using a window overlay, it is modifying the Skype "User Interface", which is, in fact, a violation of the Skype Desktop API Terms of Use:

[Image: Pic_Skype_Anims.jpg]

From: http://www.msgplus.net/Features/For_Skype


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Spunky on 02-15-2012 at 05:34 PM

Winks are not a part of the UI, but are rather an overlay similar to how the default winks work as part of Windows Live Messenger. Although the picture does make it look like it is constrained to the window (It was most likely designed to look that way), winks can be full screen from what I saw when testing.

I'm sure that if Skype were to check Messenger Plus! for Skype out, that there would be no issues. If there were issues caused by anything MP! for Skype does, I'm sure the team would be willing to make some changes were necessary.


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by matty on 02-15-2012 at 08:46 PM

Firstly as Spunky said, it is a flash animation that is being shown on the conversation window. Now the gray area is whether or not it is being hooked to the window (which I don't think it is. But email support@kimahrisoftware.com and double check).

Also the application it uses to show the flash animations is called F-IN-BOX.

However if you are not a Skype employee then don't bother. If they don't have a problem with it then you shouldn't.

Also with regards to this:

quote:
Originally posted by Honestly
(viii) does not attempt to modify the Internet Communications Software user interface in any way (“User Interface”);
If it is hooking then it isn't an attempt it is actually modifying it, therefore your statement is null and void (Obviously this is just a play on words and I am not being serious)
RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Honestly on 02-16-2012 at 02:37 AM

The Skype Desktop API "Terms of Use" are clear. Please read/re-read them.

http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=98...1019163#pid1019163


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Spunky on 02-16-2012 at 09:45 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Honestly
However if you are not a Skype employee then don't bother. If they don't have a problem with it then you shouldn't.


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by matty on 02-16-2012 at 01:08 PM

If you are an employee of Skype then contact the email I stated earlier. They can share with you their process of showing the Wink (not the actual code but if the flash animation is just shown to appear "as if" it is in the conversation window. If there is a violation of the terms you can count on Kimahri to fix it.

But what you must realize is that showing something in a window doesn't require your API. So again another gray area. What they are doing doesn't, in my eyes, appear to breach the terms of use with regards to the API.

Anyone could create an application that would add a picture to any Skype conversation window and not call your API to do so therefore that isn't against the terms of use.

So like I said, if you are an employee of Skype/Microsoft then contact the email address. Or better yet PM me your Skype or Microsoft email and I will email you directly with the Project Managers name and Email address.


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Honestly on 02-17-2012 at 01:07 AM

Please ask the proper people to read the Skype Desktop API Terms of Use, as stated in prior posts here, the terms are very clear. It is the developer(s) responsibility to abide by them.


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Spunky on 02-17-2012 at 08:37 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Honestly
Please ask the proper people to read the Skype Desktop API Terms of Use, as stated in prior posts here, the terms are very clear. It is the developer(s) responsibility to abide by them.

And it is the (Skype) employees's job to enforce them. You are ignoring what we are saying anyway so there is no point continuing the discussion without any comments from higher up on either side
RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by matty on 02-17-2012 at 01:02 PM

I have emailed the Project Manager to check out the thread.


RE: RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by Jieff on 02-17-2012 at 01:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Honestly
The Skype Desktop API "Terms of Use" are clear. Please read/re-read them.

http://shoutbox.menthix.net/showthread.php?tid=98...1019163#pid1019163

We are following the Skype Desktop API "Terms of Use".

Messenger Plus! for Skype is not altering in any ways the Skype user interface.

If you have any issues with our product please send me an e-mail  and I will gladly put you in contact with our legal department.

Thank you for your interest in Messenger Plus!

JF Gregoire

Team leader - Messenger Plus!
Kimahri Software

RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by matty on 02-21-2012 at 04:37 PM

I did some testing and I was correct. Plus! is not displaying the animation within the conversation window rather creates another window the same width of the conversation area and displays the animation in there. You can see this for yourself by sending a Wink and seeing how the title bar of window becomes inactive while the wink is being sent then reactivates as it closes.


RE: Why are you violating the Skype API Terms of Use? by prashker on 02-22-2012 at 05:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by matty
I did some testing and I was correct. Plus! is not displaying the animation within the conversation window rather creates another window the same width of the conversation area and displays the animation in there. You can see this for yourself by sending a Wink and seeing how the title bar of window becomes inactive while the wink is being sent then reactivates as it closes.
Not to mention a separate EXE is run.