System Modification - Legality

[kodedevil]

Where does the legality stand with respect to writing custom macros and adding custom screens to a Fanuc System. Is there any restrictions if the machine owner wants to add a custom macro to help improve his workflow?

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[zavateandu]

as far as i know,if the machine is out of warranty,you can do what you want with the machine,you can make it to do some popcorns or donuts

[kodedevil]

Yeap I had a conversation with the Fanuc India team. They were like warning me that it is illegal for me to touch the machine.

[bhurts]

I would think you would be ok. Just don't sell or distribute the macro's and screens to others.

Ben

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

[RCaffin]

They were like warning me that it is illegal for me to touch the machine.

Better not turn it on then.

If you own the machine it is YOUR property. Do as you will.
If you wish to sell the macros and screen ... you might want to check with a lawyer. But what could Fanuc sue you for?

Cheers
Roger

[memoryman]

Copyright protection is for the FORM of what is written; NOT for the information within what is written.
Therefore, custom screens, macros and programs are copyright protected. You can sell and distribute them.
"Yeap I had a conversation with the Fanuc India team. They were like warning me that it is illegal for me to touch the machine." What utter nonsense.
On the contrary: you can do almost anything you want with what you bought.
Of course, anyone can give their OPINION on what is legal, but laws are written by legislators and, when challenged in COURT, will be upheld or struck down by COURT.
It is not in Fanuc's interest to say that you are allowed to do something,
Back in 1991, when we started to sell memory upgrades for Fanuc controls, we got a 'cease and desist' letter from a Vice President of GeFanuc (senior legal counsel).
I called him and asked what their issue was with what we were doing. I told him that our lawyer had told us that what we were doing was perfectly legal; never heard from them again.
It is still our position that even turning on of options is legal.

[RCaffin]

There's a lot of bluff out there.
But there are also the costs of suing your own client - both $$ and reputation.

Cheers
Roger

[kodedevil]

To make it clear its my clients who own the machines. We are helping them make the changes based on their request. Most of the machines are second hand imported and are far out of warranty. We provide a solution for operators to input their login ID, the work ID and also if there are any issues. We don't modify any of the machine's activities or logic.

[kodedevil]

And also they wouldn't sell me the Fanuc Picture or the Macro software if I don't own the CNC. They want me to just buy their machine monitoring software instead.

[RCaffin]

Can you get your client (who owns the machine) to buy the SW?

Cheers
Roger

[kodedevil]

Can you get your client (who owns the machine) to buy the SW?

Cheers
Roger

If I can purchase I can use it for multiple clients if they require.