Ask HN: How do I sell a library/plug-in?

by busymichaelon 11/9/2020, 5:16 PMwith 3 comments

I have built a python library for advanced timezone handling; essentially running cron jobs for users based on their local tz.

I would like to sell the library. It could be a saas but it would really run so much better as a local library/include.

How do I sell a library/plug-in and prevent my code from showing up for free? Has anyone used a commercial licensing solution? Does anything work, or do I need to model in a certain amount of theft?

by jdbowmanon 11/10/2020, 10:55 AM

You would need some kind of code obfuscation (and then you could sell the license key to unlock the code). Could use something like https://github.com/dashingsoft/pyarmor perhaps.

But, instead of this unwieldy approach, would you consider monetizing with product support, training, etc.?

by botpenguinon 11/10/2020, 5:11 AM

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