Post editing and "piracy" information

[strazzere]

With the recent addition of paid applications to the Android Market, we are seeing an alarming number of posts regarding pirating of applications. Piracy is the unauthorized and illegal copying and/or sharing of software. This practice is neither endorsed, supported or encouraged by Android Community.

If any member on this site is found to be encouraging piracy, posting links to pirated applications, sharing pirated applications with other members, posting links to sites that instruct people how to obtain pirated applications or participating in any other type of act that encourages or supports piracy, they will be immediately banned from this community. All posts regarding piracy will be immediately edited and/or deleted by the forum moderators.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, do not hesitate to contact me via PM.

Thank you.

Let me start by saying, sorry if any information I've posted here or on my blog has lead to believe that I was attempting to promote piracy... Though with that out of the way, I find it pretty obsurd that posts are being edited and/or removed.

Of course you should be editing or removing posts that deal DIRECTLY to piracy. Though may I remind you, that you should remove all and edit all posts concernign "backing up" applications or using the astro program.

Protected programs, which is what I made my posts/blog about - does not mean it is a paid program. A paid program may be unprotected or protected, while a free program may also be unprotected or protected.

Last edited by *susan*; 02-21-2009 at 09:27 PM.. Reason: This post hinted and lead to a link where one may learn how to pirate apps.

If your going to start editing posts on these terms, you should just disallow any outside links, since all *may* lead to a place that could contain useful information. Err - I mean information where people would learn to pirate applications.

Again, I agree you should ban and remove posts that contain information encouraging piracy, posting programs or asking for those programs. Though since you clearly allow backing up of programs, and people to share information on how to save room or speed up the G1, I doubt you should be removing, banning or editing posts that contain good information.

[Jet]

If you wont adhere to the rules of this board, you are free to leave.
WE DO NOT CONDONE PIRACY IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM.

[strazzere]

If you wont adhere to the rules of this board, you are free to leave.
WE DO NOT CONDONE PIRACY IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM.

What rules have I broken?

Where I discuss the poor "protection" system and you've edited out links because it might lead to someone NOT obeying your rules?

If you want to obey you rules, remove all talk about backing up applications since that could also lead to piracy.

I'm not arguing with you about your rules - you shouldn't condone piracy. Backing up applications is not piracy and niether is discussing application protection.

NOT ALL APPLICATIONS THAT ARE PROTECTED ARE PAID APPLICATIONS. Do you consider backing up those applications piracy? If you do, then I guess I *sort of* see your point. Otherwise, what am I saying that's not adhering to your rules? What am I doing that makes you want to say, shove off if you don't like it?

[Jet]

You sir are a non conformist, you will not stop until you win. Guess what, get in touch with admin for I am done explaining the obvious to you.

[jmejiaa]

I agree with strazzere, if you start removing posts where we talk about backups then I think you will have to remove the posts that talk about rooting the G1 since it will lead to backing up apps as one of the main purposes of rooting a G1 is to backup applications. You didn't care when they were free right? There are still free apps in the store.

And as a developer I can also choose whether to protect my app or not, if I don't mind it being copied I can just select that. If I want it protected and not copy-able, I can just select that.

Mods need to understand that backing upp stuff is not illegal, are you going to start removing threads once an emulator comes up in the market since emulators can be used for illegal purposes if we desire?

www.google.com <-- this leads to a lot of leads on illegal info

[jmejiaa]

Ps... I also agree, if you don't like the "rules" or are against them you can always leave. But still, don't remove stuff that can help us learn and better our Android devices

[deserttopping]

we're discussing it. your point is understood, though. thanks.

this does need clarification.

[jmejiaa]

If I may help, I think a good way is as moderators definitely remove anything directly implying piracy ie"How to get game X for free". Or, "yay we can use this this method to get this game, look here:www.illegalstuff.com". This is something that definetely should be removed and users warned about....

[NismoG35]

Quote:
Last edited by *susan*; 02-21-2009 at 09:27 PM.. Reason: This post hinted and lead to a link where one may learn how to pirate apps.

LOL that quote makes me laugh!

Here at anrdoid community we dont want to encourage illegal learning. So any sites that point to other sites that might hint or "lead to a link where one may learn how to pirate apps" should not be posted.

www.google.com should be censored!


Welcome to the internet! hahaha

[*susan*]

First off, thank you for pm'ing me as requested...not.

I am open for a very, very limited discussion on this.

Strazzere, you brought up in a post that paid applications are not all password protected. You then proceeded to note where they are stored and how you can access them. Next, you listed a link to your blog, which included instructions and you specifically stated:

"What sort of makes this whole ironic deal even odder, is the refund policy. Within twenty-four hours of a download, you are allowed to uninstall and get a full refund of the product you purchased. So you could theoretically just rip all the applications you want, not that I am suggesting this at all."

Now, I believe you wrote this from the standpoint of a developer who is hoping to protect his applications from being pirated. You even suggested not doing this. However, there are a lot of people who have been posting about being unhappy with having to pay for applications now. Some have even gone so far as to private message my moderators asking them if they would direct them to instructions on how to get applications without paying for them. This is piracy. While you were not specifically supporting piracy, as you were pointing out the lack of security on products purchased from the Market, your blog would have indeed given those who are interested in piracy the instructions on how to do so. Therefore, the link was removed.

My job is to protect the integrity of Android Community (not Google!). We do not want to be in any way affiliated with those who may support, encourage and/or commit acts of piracy. Therefore, I have to act on what I feel is in the best interest of Android Community, as do the rest of our staff.