This blog post is long overdue. I am constantly getting emails from folks wondering if they can use the code from my tutorials at gotoAndLearn as well as from the examples that I sometimes post here in their own commercial projects. The answer is absolutely yes. You can use my code for anything you want and you don’t even need to provide attribution. Basically you can take my code and tell your boss that you wrote it if you want. Now having said that, there are some things you should keep in mind:
Applies only to my code
Many times in my tutorials I include code from outside sources like Papervision3D and Tweener. You need to be sure that you are adhering to the licenses for these outside code sources when using them for your own work. Luckily most everything I use also has similar open licensing.
Many times in my tutorials I include code from outside sources like Papervision3D and Tweener. You need to be sure that you are adhering to the licenses for these outside code sources when using them for your own work. Luckily most everything I use also has similar open licensing.
Doesn’t apply to images and artwork
In a lot of tutorials I simply pull images from Flickr or Google images for the examples. You do not have any rights to use these images in commercial projects. Now if it is some of my own artwork or one of my personal photos that I use in the tutorial then you can use that type of stuff anyway you want.
In a lot of tutorials I simply pull images from Flickr or Google images for the examples. You do not have any rights to use these images in commercial projects. Now if it is some of my own artwork or one of my personal photos that I use in the tutorial then you can use that type of stuff anyway you want.
My code is not always good
A lot of my code is what I like to call demo quality. Remember that I’m often trying to teach a complex topic in under thirty minutes so I don’t exactly follow a lot of best practices when it comes to ActionScript development. To be honest though, even when I did production projects, my code would be short and nasty. So to sum this up, look for ways to improve my code if it will be used on a real project.
A lot of my code is what I like to call demo quality. Remember that I’m often trying to teach a complex topic in under thirty minutes so I don’t exactly follow a lot of best practices when it comes to ActionScript development. To be honest though, even when I did production projects, my code would be short and nasty. So to sum this up, look for ways to improve my code if it will be used on a real project.
Don’t be a scumbag
On more than one occasion I have seen my tutorial files being sold on sites like FlashDen and iStockPhoto. The disgusting part is that these douche bags don’t even take the time to modify the artwork or images at all. So they’re actually selling things that they don’t have the rights for. Even worse are the assheads who sell my tutorial video files on CD-ROM. I hope we get to meet in person someday so I can break your arm.
On more than one occasion I have seen my tutorial files being sold on sites like FlashDen and iStockPhoto. The disgusting part is that these douche bags don’t even take the time to modify the artwork or images at all. So they’re actually selling things that they don’t have the rights for. Even worse are the assheads who sell my tutorial video files on CD-ROM. I hope we get to meet in person someday so I can break your arm.
So feel free to use my code for whatever you like. What would be nice is that when your career takes off you come back and share some of your code with the community. This openness is what makes our community the best in the world.
Lee
Haha, I can’t believe you hadn’t posted this before or had page with that disclaimer… Don’t go breaking too many arms now!
Do you have any links to people selling your tutorials? I think that would be funny to see!
I wonder what it would take to write up some legal documents that would legally allow you to break the persons arm who tries to sell your tutorials on CD’s. Any lawyers? I know it’s one of those ridiculous things, I’m just wondering what would it take? Act of congress? Presidential approval?
FlashDen is full of scumbags who try to make money of other peoples free source files & classes.
amen on the scumbags. They can SUCK it!
The sad part is that if these people spent as much time actually building their own stuff as they did stealing other people’s they would probably be even more successful.
Funny that they just copy and paste. Alot of people know the tutorials already.
Funny you should bring this up a day after I read about Noponies having the same issue. http://www.blog.noponies.com/archives/209
It’s just not right – Anyone who is willing to share so openly is a HUGE asset to our community. There are a lot of people just trying to make a quick buck and the more word gets out about this, the more aware everyone will be and can report it back to the owner.
I love helping others as well and it always rubs me the wrong way when people try to pawn stuff off as their own. In the end, it will always catch up to you – especially when your co-worker asks you to walk through what you did line-by-line.
Keep up the great work and I think out of the entire time I’ve been reading your blog, this is the first time I have seen your true (UFC) colors come out
Do what you must Lee!
Dude, if I can’t sell your code on a CD, how am I going to supplant my income? I’ve got bills to pay. Don’t be an asshole.
=Ryan
ryan@adobe.com
I look at it this way: In the long run, these “copy and pasters” are only hurting themselves as they are not seeing the bigger picture by learning from these files. Also, I believe cleaning up code is a great way to learn it.
I can’t believe people would sell your tutorials online! Omg. I feel sorry for someone who paid money to these assheads. It’s people like that who ruin it for everyone else.
>_<
I love the ” hope we meet so I can break your arm…” Can teach tech with the best of “so-called” nerds, has a vibe of the designer chic, and can get in your face and physical with the best of tough guys.
i dig your wrath. (p.s. might want to upright your copyright date below). peace.
Dear Lee,
I saw some one long time ago asked me that confusing question ” would you like to buy a DVD with all Lee Brimlow’s tutorials ? ” I was shocked but I have to say Lee your codes are amazing I have been using it in most of my project ( commercial ) and my clients like my work and ask me for more all the time and that is cause of your great work so Lee you shouldn’t be disturbed cause of those people your work Talks man about your .
note : I have a small question where can I fine a book or something on the web so I can buy or download to learn pixel bender language ?
thanks Lee
Yup, and the best line of 2009 : Lee Brimelow’s “I hope we get to meet in person someday so I can break your arm”
Somehow the line has a soothing quality to me. Like the world has just become a little bit better and it’s easier to breathe.
Almost as sad as selling Blender on eBay.
(I imagine they’re farmers from Kazachstan with no income and plenty of disabilities)
I’m with Ryan on this one. Even though I haven’t made much money selling your code on CD, it’s a great way to supplement my income. I mean, I was able to buy my son Little Big Planet thanks to the sales! My son thanks you (not really, he doesn’t care).
I’m thinking of hiring the Sham Wow guy to push the CD’s, as he only charges a quarter gram of blow per commercial. We’ll just see how that pans out, I guess… I’ll let you know!
Lee,
How come you’ve not had the Adobe legal eagles on the case to send them a stop or else email or two. I think technically you’re under Adobe’s wing here so whilst no company ever likes to send those kind of nasty emails, i think in this case you’d be forgiven for it given its effectively stealing your work.
Scott.
@Scott Bringing my site to Adobe legal’s attention would probably do more harm than good once they started browsing around
Lee, your a good man! I check your site almost everyday and I learn a lot form you. Thanks for sharing. You do great work.
Vayu
i don’t sell your sources, but even if i did, since “Luta livre” rules, i would rather break yours
)
” I hope we get to meet in person someday so I can break your arm.”
Please get this on film and add it to the next issue of Flasher, I’ve been missing UFC over here!
It’s unfortunate that some have no ethics or personal integrity.
What about compiling your tutorials onto a DVD of your own?! With the right distribution company – your product could be copyrighted. Don’t know if it’s against company policy – but you could supplement your income and we (the community) could reap the benefit of your work “in print”.
If you decide to publish a DVD – it would be great if you could extend the tutorials a bit by giving a few hints (as you do in your video series) about how one could build out the samples using best practices and develop full applications.
Keep up the good work!
Liz
What a coincidence. I was actually just about to email you to ask your permission to translate your tutorials into Chinese to post on my (non-commercial) site, with attribution of course. Would this also be ok?
@Nolan If the Sham Wow promoted these tutorials I would totally buy them, I mean can you refuse to buy anything from a guy wearing a headset mic on crack????
I thought you were familiar looking! Now I know where I saw you… all those Video Professor CDROMS I bought. LOL :>)
I use your Math2 & Wedge classes a lot! So thank you for your great work and the daily inspiration. I do need to start sharing things I believe might benefit others… A new year resolution, maybe?
Cheers,
Jerome.
“…so I can break your arm” ROFL.
It’s fantastic that you have been able to do so much for the Flash community. It is also great to be able to help so many people on the GTAL forums, so a big THANK YOU.
I have a suggestion: Why not to, whenever we saw those kind of unethical and immoral practices like selling what is being given for free in knowledges resources like those of Lee, We can always do the best thing to do: pass the word! tell the people that are buying that what they are buyng is Free! So they can be warned and aware of the scam and scum that they are dealing with… What do you say about that Lee and all the people here?
Cheers to all of you Lee readers and users 
Hugs and kisses to everyone…
“Sharing is Evolution, Evolution is Knowledge, Knowledge is Power”
Dear Lee:
Great post! I think the folks at Adobe are so lucky to have a guy that has such a passion towards pushing such a great line of products with such passion! Thanks for the inspiration and humor in both your presentations and this site! And if you need help breaking a couple of arms, it would be an honor to join the games (or at least watch!….)
“I hope we get to meet in person someday so I can break your arm.” -PRICELESS!!
Lee,
ppl that sell your tutorials deserve more than a broken arm
Anyways I believe, that is something that should make you happy. That proves that your work really rocks! In a way or another, most of the community know the effort that you make to share your thoughts and we all thank you for that.
However ppl like that, will be rewarded and they’ll find others that steal their efforts too.
You rock man, can’t wait for the nsxt issue of Flasher
So true, Lee – so true. I have dedicated my professional career to help other people with Adobe software for free. Seeing other profiting in a structured way, as you are experiencing must be very frustrating (arm-breaking frustrating)
I personally always wish, that these scumbags gets highly magnetic, screwing up any monitor, computer or credit card they try to use. Then they can go out in the woods an live under a rock!!
Thank you for your contributions to the community – it’s highly valued.
/ockley
Lee, THIS is long overdue…a big Shout-It-Out THANKS to you for your tutorials. I was in audio/video production for 18 years when I started doing your tutorials and learning AS on my own four years ago…since then I’ve switched careers completely. I am now an interactive developer working at a worldwide agency and doing better than ever. And I have you and your tutorials to thank for it. Well…I DID have the desire. And while I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me, I continuously strive to pass on what I’ve learned from you to others…
Peace~
Hmm, I would only have to change or omit my first name to be able to sell these tutorials. You wouldn’t break the arm of your own brother would you Lee? I would settle for a rear naked choke.
Thanks for the post, AND all your work/tutorials you offer up for us. Let us know who the scumbags are so we can ban them from the internet.
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge on AS. Your tutorials are fantastic and have given me the confidence i need to delve into the world of flash.
LOL. the last part really made me laugh.
Your tutorials are among the many things that brought me so far into the world of flash and action scripting I’ve certainly learned a lot thanks to you.
I think you should start adding watermarks to your tutorials, the idea of some taking your tutorials and selling them is just wrong.
I can’t believe there are so many losers out there that take advantage of those that freely share and help out the rest of the community. I will help you break some arms if I can.
People are asshats and see-you-next-tuesday’s so i’m not at all suprised. Unfortunately these people will always be around. Well put thou, Lee!
Lee, undoubtally an angered version fo you could break the arm of Kratos himself
Un saludo.
I seriously love you dude.. in all your arm breaking flash coding glory. thanks for all your marvelous teachings over the years.
Too funny, keep up the good work Lee!
Hey Lee–
Love your take on the doosh bags that take what YOU created and sell it for $. Your willingness to help those of us out who need it and actually want to learn is what keeps me coming back. Thank you for your coding genius
Hey Lee,
this is boring, no new tutorial for a moth, please do some new tutorials at least once a week, that will be best for us.
I highly appreciate if you can do some tutorials about how to using bitmap class more and more
thanks
lol lee, if I get a hold of em, I’ll give an indian burn so you can still break their arm. You rock man, I’m addicted to your site, watching for new posts all the time. Your expertise pulled me from the fire when I was struggling with actionscript 3.0 last year, now I do it in my sleep! 3 mo project I did last year (with your help and Colin’s book) http://www.starstudioslasvegas.com
You sir are the man!!!
Hi Lee,
It’s a pity people try and rip your stuff off. You produce enough free content already for people to learn from, and even include in their own projects. Surely that would be enough!??
I have been viewing your tutorials on gotoandlearn for well over a year now, and always check back to see what’s new. Thanks again for all your hard work.
David
I need your help!! Am a university student on Bachelor Of Information Techinolgy and Am trying to do my project as it a requirement to complete our course. help!!1