Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#1

Post by aerovistae » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 4:48 PM UTC

I have no idea how, but I've just seen my app on the iOS store before I've released it, made by a developer in China. It's not like a clone....it's the exact same game, pixel for pixel. Someone got my repository and just uploaded it as their own app. I can't even begin to fathom how.

What can I do? The app is already approved in "My Apps" on iTunes connect and I had it up before they published it, but I just didn't put it up for sale yet because I wasn't ready. Anyone cursorily glancing at the promotional images can see the game is 100% identical, unchanged.

I doubt I would have even made money off the game anyway but nonetheless this is really frustrating. I learned iOS just to make this. Do I have any recourse? Has this happened to anyone else?

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#2

Post by coffeebro » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 5:01 PM UTC

Sorry to hear that. If you have any time-stamped material in a repository or on ITunes Connect, put up a blog post with what happened. Launch your app as soon as possible. I don't think there is anything tangible you can do unless you think there was some foul legal play.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#3

Post by walterbell » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 5:04 PM UTC

Where is your source code hosted? It may be worth asking a security person to take a look at your laptop or development environment, for signs of persistent malware. As bad as this is, you will want to make sure it does not happen again.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#4

Post by coryl » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 6:01 PM UTC

You can do a C&D through Apple, they will usually forward an email to the developer, but not sure how partial they are to enforcing a case.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#5

Post by alain94040 » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 6:27 PM UTC

If it's yours, you own the copyright to the source code and game assets, so you are in good shape.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#6

Post by aerovistae » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 8:58 PM UTC

coryl wrote: post #4

You can do a C&D through Apple, they will usually forward an email to the developer, but not sure how partial they are to enforcing a case.

How can I do this?

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#7

Post by speedyapoc » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 9:04 PM UTC

aerovistae wrote: post #6

coryl wrote: post #4

You can do a C&D through Apple, they will usually forward an email to the developer, but not sure how partial they are to enforcing a case.

How can I do this?

http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstore...

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#8

Post by speedyapoc » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 9:05 PM UTC

coryl wrote: post #4

You can do a C&D through Apple, they will usually forward an email to the developer, but not sure how partial they are to enforcing a case.

In my experience they just act as a mediator. I haven't seen them really do anything other than nag - it's all up to the developer to be compliant. However, these were cases where it wasn't a clear right and wrong. In OP's case, they might be quick to do something.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#9

Post by aerovistae » Tue, Jun 09, 2015, 9:52 PM UTC

speedyapoc wrote: post #7

aerovistae wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How can I do this?

http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstore...

Thank you very much. I submitted one. I had looked for this or something like it and was unable to find it.

Re: Ask HN: Someone stole my iOS app, what can I do?

#10

Post by ratfacemcgee » Wed, Jun 10, 2015, 2:06 AM UTC

i hope it goes well for you, I would be gutted if that happened to me.