Are non-reprogrammable microcontrollers still readable by programmer software?

Question

Like I want to extract it and duplicate it onto another microcontroller...

Answer 1

Depends... Micro controller typically have configuration bits which can be set during programming to prevent modification or downloading of the program. It is up to the programmer at the time the firmware is downloaded to set these configuration bits.

I can tell you from my experience that I set these bits when I send out samples to prevent my code from being examined or duplicated.

Some brands like Atmel have resettable config bits which will allow the chip to be reused. But in order to reset them you have to erase the chip and its contents in the process.

If you have a OTP One Time Programmable part there many not even be a means within the IC to read out code. OTP parts are found in mass produced equip and in large volume can be fabricated with a program.