Developers stealing apps from XDA

[ls377]

I was looking around XDA and stumbled upon this...

[WARNING] DavinciDevelopers steal apps from this forum ! - xda-developers

Here's the jist of it: This developer, DavinciDevelopers, and apparently another one listed on the 9th page, took apps that were posted on XDA for free and put them on the market as paid apps. These apps aren't on the market anymore, but it took Google over a week to remove them (compared to the LTE app, where it was removed the same day). I'm not blaming Google at all, because they had to do enough research on it, but it points out another weakness in Android app security.

So basically, developers beware, and keep your eye out for more like this. I'm sure this isn't the only one.

 

[eric.atx]

As opposed to apple that are uber controlling and don't let anything. In an atmosphere where there is more openness this are the things that will happen. Seems like it was taken care of to me so what is the problem?

Oh and developers can put their apps on the market but not list them to keep this from happening. Looks like they did take care of that.

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

 

[ls377]

Not saying there was a problem anymore, its just sad that developers have to deal with something like this in order for us to have an open system.

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[Chris Kerrigan]

It's an unfortunate thing to happen, and I really do feel for devs who put a lot of time and work into their apps who end up having their property stolen. I have no problem paying for a really good app, but if free apps are being stolen and reproduced in the Market by someone else for a fee, that's a problem.

Hopefully Google will figure out inventive ways to help cut down on these situations without sacrificing the open aspect.

 

[zuben el genubi]

Just saw this.
Google 'not happy' with Android Market purchase rates, many changes coming -- Engadget
I really don't want to be billed by my carrier. My phone is unlocked.
Any explanation?

 

[HKM]

What they should do is allow user to specify how they should pay for the app. Paypal, carrier, bank acc, buy credit (online+actual gift card). Then again what do I know I haven't bought single app but have cURLed 8.1gb app archive from market itself. Also what does this have anything to do with your phone being unlocked? You can still pay for it but that right should be in your hand where and how you should be billed.

 

[zuben el genubi]

What they should do is allow user to specify how they should pay for the app. Paypal, carrier, bank acc, buy credit (online+actual gift card). Then again what do I know I haven't bought single app but have cURLed 8.1gb app archive from market itself. Also what does this have anything to do with your phone being unlocked? You can still pay for it but that right should be in your hand where and how you should be billed.

Not saying anything about not paying. Just that some carriers put their own stuff on the phones and you can't get rid of it, or maybe even get a conflicting app.
If the phone is unlocked, the stuff will have to be blocked by the sim card and not what the carrier wants in the phone.
I haven't seen carrier specific yet, but have read complaints. Even unlocked phones come with junk that remind me of the bloatware installed on new computers.
I just think you should have the right to pay your way. If small amounts are a bit too much to keep track of, then set up a credit account where you can start with a $10 credit and apply towards purchase of apps. If the account is low, you can add another 10 bucks.
Z

 

[trekkie1701c]

From what I hear on the current "carrier pay" plans, basically it comes up as an option of a payment source. Think they're adding it to combat one of the bigger issues some people (like me) have with buying apps from the Android market - we don't have a way of doing so D: (I'm a bit sore about getting a bank account after my last bank legally stole $500 from me, and I only make $10k a year). So it'd be a great way to open up the market to more people; that said, if they restricted it to carrier only, they'd get rid of a lot of potential buyers. I don't think they're willing to do that

 

[srkmagnus]

Can we get a sticky in the App Inventor Forums? I think it's good for people to know that this is going on and can be done by anyone. Registering the apps in the Market, even if it's not available for download, is a good idea to prevent people from straight taking it as there own.

 

[ls377]

From what I hear on the current "carrier pay" plans, basically it comes up as an option of a payment source. Think they're adding it to combat one of the bigger issues some people (like me) have with buying apps from the Android market - we don't have a way of doing so D: (I'm a bit sore about getting a bank account after my last bank legally stole $500 from me, and I only make $10k a year). So it'd be a great way to open up the market to more people; that said, if they restricted it to carrier only, they'd get rid of a lot of potential buyers. I don't think they're willing to do that

If they went carrier billing only, they would have to work out a deal with every carrier that carries an android phone, and even then they would lose sales from wifi-only devices. So you're right, there wouldn't do that.

Can we get a sticky in the App Inventor Forums? I think it's good for people to know that this is going on and can be done by anyone. Registering the apps in the Market, even if it's not available for download, is a good idea to prevent people from straight taking it as there own.

It's already stickied at XDA, and most developers would go there anyway. It would make more sense in the Beta forum, since those apps seem to be the target.