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Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

intuitiveexplanations.com

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Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#601

Post by alephu5 »

mousepilot wrote: post #572

That company sucks but I predict they would win in court, simply because you made something that resembles their work, and thats plenty to convince a jury or the average judge. Sure, it sounds like a generic enough page, and there are plenty like it, but how many have been put up by an intern at a company that ALSO put one up. Additionally, you'll probably win here at HN, but in all probability you will not get a HN…

Is this illegal? In Europe it is part of the business landscape for groups of employees to break off and form competing companies.

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#602

Post by jascii »

stOneskull wrote: post #570
jascii wrote: post #260

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the context of the article I took that as a gesture of goodwill while trying to talk out the misunderstanding. They had a relationship before this happened and it sounded like he wanted to maintain that relationship. In the end, this was a hobby project for the author, and I can understand he might not want to deal with the stress involved with possible legislation. The bully is the aggressor here and lets try not…

yep. we just won't ever use replit. their name is mud now.

I'm still hoping the CEO will come out of the woods with something like: "I'm sorry, I had a shitty day and acted like an ass." But that might be more grown-up than is realistic...

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#603

Post by mousepilot »

alephu5 wrote: post #601
mousepilot wrote: post #572

That company sucks but I predict they would win in court, simply because you made something that resembles their work, and thats plenty to convince a jury or the average judge. Sure, it sounds like a generic enough page, and there are plenty like it, but how many have been put up by an intern at a company that ALSO put one up. Additionally, you'll probably win here at HN, but in all probability you will not get a HN…

Is this illegal? In Europe it is part of the business landscape for groups of employees to break off and form competing companies.

In the USA its part of the business landscape to get sued.

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#604

Post by lwb »

caslon wrote: post #553
contriban wrote: post #545

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you add more context? Why did you post this?

It demonstrates that he did something worse than what he's accusing his former intern of doing: Second, we’re also excited to announce one of the first (of many!) projects that Amjad has worked on with us: Codecademy Labs, the easiest way to play with JavaScript, Ruby, and Python online. Now, after you learn with Codecademy courses, you can use Codecademy Labs to create your own programs, share them via Twitter and F…

Tbf, he made the first version of Replit as an open source project before joining Codecademy, and it's likely that retaining ownership of that project was part of his employment contract.

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#605

Post by lynxaegon »

imhoguy wrote: post #526
yellow_lead wrote: post #3

A fancy funded company like Replit getting scared by an intern's weekend project is entertaining. If your moat is so low it can be replicated in a few days, I think this open source project is the least of their worries.

I think I am going to make Riju clone next weekend, got a name even: Disreplty.

I think we should flood the internet with replit clones :) How much money would they want to invest in lawyers?

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#608

Post by codegeek »

google234123 wrote: post #483
codegeek wrote: post #319

Am I missing something ? You interned at a small company and then you built a very similar open source tool which is close to the core product they offer ? Whether the CEO is an asshole or not, I can't think of not agreeing with them here. Your "intentions" don't matter. If your work is very similar to your previous employer's , they have the right to ask you to take it down or come after you.

Wait, so you think that once you work at Pepsi you are never allowed to create your own business selling soft drinks?

I would assume not if you are using very similar formula or ingredients.

Re: Replit used legal threats to kill my open-source project

#609

Post by stevebmark »

jeffybefffy519 wrote: post #583
stevebmark wrote: post #58

Did the author disclose the work on Riju as a prior invention before joining Repl.it? If so that puts him in the clear. I would also check your hiring contract to see what kind of clauses are in there about prior inventions. For larger companies, I don't think this company behavior would surprise anyone. I think I can understand where Repl.it is coming from. All I know is this behavior (by Riju author) isn't somethin…

Of course its in bad taste/unethical to build any open source clone of a product for a company you used to work for. Doesnt matter how shitty the CEO behaves, how unoriginal the idea you copied is. Incredible that had to scroll so far down HN to find this comment.

I'm personally surprised at the responses too. I think it's easy to default to "the little open source player is getting screwed over by the big bad corporate entity." In this case I think it's a learning opportunity for the author of the clone.
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