>>> the fact that one of the parties is heavy weight Microsoft should not matter,
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>My own experience of success in the US legal system involved huge legal costs. That's why it matters, if it forces people to back down from an entirely justifiable legal position.
>

I do not know John, I see your point as a reason to have the discussion about the legality of decompiling (or using a decompiled) product here, so we can make an informed decision whether to use it or not, and that is why I am (apparently the only one) not upset at Rick (but I really wish he works on his conciseness :))

(FWIW, I do not see how can I be held accountable for someone else decompiling a product, how would I know? Well in this case we know, but it will need to be proved on court, jeje)

>>>what if someone decompiles and sells your program, or worse, unspeakable worse, mine!
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>LOL.
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>Public policy ensures severe censure if it's done to avoid paying you, or to replicate your live product or otherwise deny you revenues from your product. But if they've paid your invoices and now act to fix bugs or security holes or to ensure interoperability you fail to address, my understanding is that they are allowed to and that you've no complaint.

An this is why I like the thread that everyone dreads, we can learn from people with experience.