Ask HN: My iOS app got pirated, what to do now? Raging? Nothing? Partying?

I think one of my favorite approaches is reaching out to the individuals pirating the software. Post a comment on the page explaining that you are the developer of the program. Explain why you made the application and that, if people download and enjoy it, you would appreciate them supporting future development by purchasing the application through the AppStore.

You really can't stop people from pirating your application, but you might be able to convert a few would-be pirates just by reaching out to them with your story. It's easy to steal a piece of software from a nameless entity, but it's much harder when there is a human element involved.

Going into "legal mode" rarely solves these problems because it just puts people on the defensive (and this is coming from a lawyer).

I would suggest get a free app account limitation for 10 videos or so. This way you would get more users too and also some good exposure too as many would download you app being free. :) Free user Conversion is your App magic ;) IMO, app is awesome ;)

Also check this, there might be an udpate on iOS5 and you might be lucky.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/12/jailbreak-detectio...

Apple introduced an API to check if the device is jailbroken, but after 6 months removed it without any explanation.

However you can still make some check, like to check if the path /private/var/lib/apt/ exists or not. Since many package managers for cracked apps are apt-based, you should be able to get most of jailbroken devices.

Sadly (afaik), no way to understand if your app on a device has been cracked or purchased.

You can't stop people from pirating your app. Not to mention, I'm sure most of us have pirated something, at some point, as well. I'd personally let them keep the files up. As it's been said, another user is another user. He'll show it to his friends who might buy it instead of pirating.

Another option to help fight people pirating would be to offer a free version. Maybe limit how many things they can add to their list, and have it ad supported. The full version you pay for and gets unlimited items in their list.

If you do find a way to detect someone using a pirated version, instead of disabling the application, why not do something fun like create a "pirate theme" that gets applied so they know they've been busted. (The only drawback is if the pirate theme is awesome you might get people pirating it just to see what it looks like).

There's no sense in fighting pirating, it's never worked. As far as I know, no industry has had any real success stopping it. I say embrace it and try to use it to your advantage.

OKay,

1 the pirate your app act tells you these things:

    -in their geographical area fro some reason they cannot but it or the price might be too high
    -they love your app

2. Easier to turn those into paid conversions if paid app gets free updates.

Most of us here can not tell you not take legal action. However, can you turn this into conversions? I think you can.

On the android side I run into when I sell apps through non Google android Market stores as those do not have infrastructure of me checking a license api like Google Android Market does..the things above is my thought process and steps I will be using..