copyright or rules to customize commnunity codes

[qsdmv]

I have questions to customize community codes. What are rules I should consider?

1). Can I modify the original codes or can I only extend the original codes?
2). Can I modify package names, class names and method names if I can't extend it because super class doesn't provide protected access?
3). After changing the codes, should I contribute back the code changes since those changes really are customized (doesn't make sense to other users at all)


Thanks in advance


Steven

[mrogers]

http://wiki.alfresco.com/wiki/Open_Source_Licensing

1) you can modify or extend or cut down
2) yes   although there should be some reason why a super class prevents mucking around in the first place so it may not be a good idea.
3) its up to you to make the call whether to contribute back.    But obviously a community only works if people contribute as well as taking.

[qsdmv]

Since codes change, it might not look like the original. Should I include the copyright header comment and original author name? If I have to, do I need to put the name whoever modify since modified even though it is not delivered. Thanks Roger for your quick response

[adhi27]

where i can look how to customize code ?