Microsoft.net

[lizby1]

Hello,
I have a website that I employed somebody to develop. They have used C# aswell as HTML and CSS.
I want to use somebody else for further development but he will not release the source code unless it is to somebody who is an 'approved microsoft.net developer'. Is this normal practice and is there anyone here that can help me?

[tracknut]

This doesn't look good, but I'll ask anyway... Of course you wouldn't hire someone to develop a web site without writing a contract, so what does the contract say about ownership of the source code?

Dave

[lizby1]

Thanks Dave - the contract says he will give me a copy of the code. He is now refusing to do so, saying that it is his intellectual property right.
To be honest, I think I'm going to have to rebuild the site.

[tracknut]

He's all over the map, if he's got these three statements he's given you:
1) You get a copy from the contract agreement
2) He'll give it, but only to an approved .net developer
3) He's not giving it out, he owns the IP

Presuming you've done nothing to void your end of the contract (eg, you paid him), and this job was big enough that the code is of some value, I think I'd at least go to the step of getting a lawyer letter sent to him.

Dave

[lizby1]

Yes, I have paid him. Thankyou very much for your input.

[Ribeyed]

Hi,

is the site live and can we view it?

Did you get any login details for where the site is hosted?

regards


Ribs

[lizby1]

Hi Ribs,
Thanks for your reply. I have login details and yes, the site is live. www.bluebaguette.com I've actually found somebody that has copied all the files, but obviously there is work involved to decompile stuff. It would be much easier/quicker/less costly to have the source code. I have a solicitors letter ready to send out if he doesn't comply.
Such a shame to be in this situation, but at the moment I can't run my business because I cannot even change one word on the website.

[Ribeyed]

Hi,

if you have a copy of all the files from the web server then you have everything you need. The only other files I would asume he is holding on to is the Visual Studio project files and these files are not required and can be created again. There is no manually writen code in the project file and it is recreated when you create a new Visual Studio Project.

.net uses a JIT (just-in-time) compiler which means the code is compiled as and when it is needed. The code is not compiled by the developer it's the web server that compiles the code when the web application is run on the server.


regards

Ribs

[lizby1]

Thank you Ribs, for your reply and explanation. It really helps to have things explained.