Help with a Batch File I wrote…?

Question by vaeldious: Help with a Batch File I wrote…?
First I want to make a few things clear about the situation.
The script is solely my property, it has not assumed ownership through contract.

I do contract work for a vendor for the government distibuting and installing computer leased equipment. I’m in my 20’s, and I wrote a batch file that does my job for me. I am supposed to do windows updates, antivirus updates, and a few proprietary software installs, but everything is accessable relative to my job, from within this one console.

So anyway, the vendor tried to steal it from me, and now I wish to incorporate some way to license it per use, but I have no idea how. Since they want it so bad, I wish to sell it to them (since I don’t directly work for them). Their techs were taking 2+ hours for the same work I am doing in 20 minutes, because I don’t have to download anything, everything is localized to removable media (or local network accessible). I am also interested in copyrighting the software, but don’t know how to; I never expected the code to become such a useful utility and becomming standard issue….

The code is internally tagged with remarks, stating that it was created during personal time, and displays my business name and site, since I do have my own (home) business.

Any help is appreciated!

Best answer:

Answer by Nick N
Don’t bother with the licensing. “Make it for them” on contract, since you’ll never be able to sell it to other corporations. That way you get the money for it, and they get ownership of it.

Since it’s just a script there’s no way to detect how often it’s being installed. Trying to make money off of something you can’t enforce is a bad idea.

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