Shoutbox

I wouldn't be too happy if someone stole a feature that I had made. This is the same principle as someone making a program that can tab conversation windows and add script functionality (although MP!L is still very much alive and is therefore a different case really).

If a program has not been updated for a while, it does not mean that it never will be and that we should be raping features for our own good. If the program was "dead" then yes... but you should still get permission from the author.

IIRC, SP is compatible with WLM 8.5, so why would anybody need these featues built into MP!L? (Note to OP: If versions lower than 9.0 don't work, I suggest you use a web messenger until you can find the problem or Microsoft release 9.0; Using WLM 9.0 if you're not a BETA tester just  slows down the testing process and puts further load on the servers.)

I think overall, if the function is copied directly, that is stealing. If you can improve on it and make it more reliable, that is just an improvement. MP!L took out the Nickname feature because WLM had it; I wouldn't expect them to add things after somebody else has already done it.