Short answer: No it would by no means be easy, because the source code is not contained in the program.
Long answer:
DCS is a C++ application, the modules are dynamically linked libraries (dlls for you Windows heathens , on Linux they are called so for shared object, macOS calls them dynlib) also written in C++.
When you write a C++ application, the code is passed through a compiler, turning source code into object files and a linker that links the object files together into executable or library binaries. There is no human readable anything inside a binary (unless the programmer fumbled the compilation process and forgot to strip the symbols, but that would be a mishap).
That being said, there are disassembly tools that allow you to reverse engineer binaries. The process is complicated and takes a lot of experience. Since there is no way to restore sensible variable and function names, understanding the resulting code is very arduous.
But would ED prosecute themselves for violating their EULA?
We don’t know what’s inside a TPLA of ED and any of the 3rd parties, but if ED is privy to the source, I doubt that reverse engineering of binaries would be a legal issue.
I think in RZ’s case, they’re saying that as the subcontractor, they didn’t get paid by the general contractor, and they can’t pay their crew. While as the homeowner, I have a valid receipt, a hole in my bank account, and want to know why the sprinkler system is still not finished yet.
Knowing nothing but, honestly, enjoying the chaos, I don’t get Razbam’s play here. Not getting paid must suck. As must working your team to the nub day after day, year after year. But what else are you going to do, really? All of this work is in the service of the core sim. If Razbam or its leadership dropkick ED, it is unlikely that they will ever be trusted in another venue. If this play succeeds in strong-arming ED to resolve this to Razbam’s satisfaction, the RB team can still never be trusted by ED. I mean, C’MON! Anyone who’s ever watched a mafia movie knows that this can now not end well. If ED was still a Russian company I might even advise Capn Smiley to view all umbrellas with extreme caution.
Employer that issues the contract to subcontractor is the one that signs the checks.
in this case RB signs their checks, so the anger about not being paid + the working conditions are attributes to RB’s management not ED, ED does not manage RB employees.
Again as the Company owner, there’s supposed to be some level of Payroll insurance, the employees/partners/subcontractors cannot turn to ED for payment, ED doesnt have them on payroll, RB should honestly seek out payroll loan, pay his employees and contractors and finish negotiations over the contract. Instead of setting the precedence for his employees to take to social media to get into a he said-she said p-ing match with the company / terms they breached contract with. Employees should come first. Instead, it’s politics and now they are using customers as $500 chips at the table.
Seeing as they’ve been working for free the last few months, it’s not a “ED didnt Pay us” problem, it’s a “My Boss (RB) hasnt paid us”.
if RB management is simply deflecting the blame to ED, then they really need to re-think their payroll management.
Ideally, ED handle this legally so that at any time they have access to the source. Because if not, a petty individual could drag out the handing over of source code for a long time.
Sure, but sometimes that tunnel holder will refuse to do business with you (contractual obligations or not).
forgot to mention, that 400 mile road is a dirt road, unmarked, and not on the GPS, so you’re your only hope in making sure you’re still on the road during that 400 mile trip.
I’m glad I’m not ED as with my hot Italian blood I’d have used all my legal leverage to make a clean cut statement of not dealing with blackmail of any kind.
But…
I also know that cooler kids usually prevail so, glad to not be in any one’s shoes.
There has been a new Discord statement by Razbam’s CEO stating they are working out a resolution and do not want things to escalate,they’re are ready to turn the page and move forward…Great News for Us All!!!
The main thing I care about is our experience as paying customers. Losing four out of the thirteen (roughly, depending how you count them) modern fast jet modules I’ve purchased as the DCS executable moves forward into the future would be a deal breaker for me.
But if the four modules were just “frozen in time”, i.e. no feature updates but still flyable, I can live with that.
I hope Razbam and ED can come to an equitable agreement. DCS does and is going to rely on third party content to make it the leading combat flight sim engine I’d personally argue that it is.
, on Linux they are called 
