Alert for my #TKCompanionApp: a user has found an unauthorised copy on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/det…
That is NOT my app!! It's could be modifidd from the original in an unknown way, and surely a #FOSS #copyright #violation!
My app is _only_ available through @fdroidorg at f-droid.org/en/packages/name.b… or you can download F-Droid-signed APKs from @Codeberg (codeberg.org/marco.bresciani/T…) or the GitHub mirror: github.com/marcoXbresciani/TKC… and nowhere else.
BE CAREFUL!!
That is NOT my app!! It's could be modifidd from the original in an unknown way, and surely a #FOSS #copyright #violation!
My app is _only_ available through @fdroidorg at f-droid.org/en/packages/name.b… or you can download F-Droid-signed APKs from @Codeberg (codeberg.org/marco.bresciani/T…) or the GitHub mirror: github.com/marcoXbresciani/TKC… and nowhere else.
BE CAREFUL!!
dorotaC
in reply to Marco Bresciani • • •If they had not modified it, then the GPL does not forbid publishing.
If they modified it, then GPL says the sources must be made available to the users alongside the binary.
It's not possible to tell if there's any foul play without downloading it and checking more details.
IzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to dorotaC • • •dorotaC
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •Marco Bresciani
in reply to dorotaC • • •My app has the copyright notice in each single file, the license and it's even REUSE compliant.
The other app, I don't know. but surely I don't want to download it.
@IzzyOnDroid
IzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to Marco Bresciani • • •Quick check via Appbrain's interface (appbrain.com/app/name.brescian…):
* APK is smaller than yours (22 MB vs. 25 MB)
* no permissions; if that's true certainly no ads/trackers added
* list of used frameworks/libraries available so you can compare
* a look at their other apps: seems they publish a lot of other FOSS apps which are (like Mucke) either at F-Droid or in my repo
Unfortunately only a Gmail contact given. Maybe ask what they're up to and whether they'd give credits in descs?
@dcz
TKCompanionApp - Android App - Free Download
AppBrainMarco Bresciani
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •I tried writing the author of that, but no results.
Why Google Play said "ads"?
Or maybe they simply copy apps, add ads, but not even check if those apps have the permissions they need...
@dcz
IzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to Marco Bresciani • • •@dcz from the list I got the impression they added FOSS apps which intentionally were not present at Play – just because they wanted them there. Well, we could notify the other authors with your findings and experience so they could take action if they wanted.
There are reasons why one chooses NOT to put an app into that walled garden. And I somehow doubt that support requests to the address specified their would be processed – but who knows…
Marco Bresciani
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •I already wrote the other authors.
Let's see how it evolves: it seems the clone of mine has been removed.
@dcz
Marco Bresciani
in reply to Marco Bresciani • • •@Codeberg
-/mondstern
in reply to Marco Bresciani • • •IzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to -/mondstern • • •dorotaC
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •From github.com/marcoXbresciani/TKC…
4. Conveying Verbatim Copies.
You may convey verbatim copies of the Program's source code as you
receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously and
appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice;
- - -
The app listing is not a copy. You can write anything you want there. Plus, if they modified it, then they are the authors, too.
TKCompanionApp/COPYING at master · marcoXbresciani/TKCompanionApp
GitHubIzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to dorotaC • • •TKCompanionApp
Codeberg.orgdorotaC
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •@IzzyOnDroid That's how I read it as well. Now we only need someone to obtain the object code so that section 6 is triggered and compliance can be verified.
I'd do it but I don't have an Android device.
IzzyOnDroid ✅
in reply to dorotaC • • •@dcz And I don't have a Google account, nor any Google stuff on my devices (for years I run as Google-free as I can).
But that said, first thing I'd do is take a look at the size. Just had it recently with another app: size at Play was twice the original. Usually those plagiators add some trackers & ad modules. Also compare permissions, which give a clue on the same line (changes being made) @AAMfP
dorotaC
in reply to IzzyOnDroid ✅ • • •