Policy on requesting "free" APK files?

**f4phantomii** · 02-27-2009, 03:38 PM

It's been made clear that any discussion or content related to piracy of apps will not be tolerated.

However, I have a followup question and I'd like to hear a policy on this from the mods and/or admins....

Is it permissible to request, and/or post links to apps and *.apk files that were (and perhaps may still be) free?

For example, let's say that I got a notification that an update to an app was available. In this instance, the dev has released an update that replaces the previously "free" version of their app with another "free" version, only the newest one is a time-limited trial which, upon expiration, would require you to purchase the latest version.

Would it be acceptable to ask fellow community members to provide me with the *.apk file for the original non-trial free app, or provide a link to where I might still be able to find it?

What's the general feeling of the community on this scenario?

**happyandyv** · 02-27-2009, 03:51 PM

I think if you want to do that you are superseding the developers intentions and therefor their rights as the owner of the application.. I think any reference to this should be private through IM or the like.

I think it would be interesting to start a "reference" site that makes available the source for all versions of all apps that make it to the market for historical and cooperation purposes

I think you would need a good bit of permissions for that but... hey torrent sites get around it

**deadite66** · 02-27-2009, 03:58 PM

what about wifiscan the original version said it would 'always be free' but they still made a paid for version.

**averad** · 02-27-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by happyandyv

I think if you want to do that you are superseding the developers intentions and therefor their rights as the owner of the application.. I think any reference to this should be private through IM or the like.

I think it would be interesting to start a "reference" site that makes available the source for all versions of all apps that make it to the market for historical and cooperation purposes

I think you would need a good bit of permissions for that but... hey torrent sites get around it

If version .90 was free and version .95 isn't you really arn't bypassing the wish of the developer by making the older free version available. I would assume the newer version would have improvements that make the cost version worth more.

If the developer originally offered it for free and now is charging for the exact same version, I believe the free APK is still signed as a free program and should be distributable.

Now the problem is there currently a way to tell if the APK is the free one or the paid one just by looking at the file? Or do you have to install it and checking the version?

The Android Community would be hard pressed to monitor each file and verify it was not a pirated copy. On the other hand, Android Community could put the responsibility on each of us to notify when a pirated copy is shared so it can be removed.

The other issue is bandwidth, data hosting and external links to files.

Its far easier to say no then it is to setup a new process of management.

**f4phantomii** · 02-27-2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by averad

If version .90 was free and version .95 isn't you really arn't bypassing the wish of the developer by making the older free version available. I would assume the newer version would have improvements that make the cost version worth more.

That was my take as well, although I believe there are many who would disagree.

And unfortunately I think there are apps out there right now where the difference between is v.xx and v.yy is nothing more than they want you to buy v.yy.

**averad** · 02-27-2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by f4phantomii

That was my take as well, although I believe there are many who would disagree.

And unfortunately I think there are apps out there right now where the difference between is v.xx and v.yy is nothing more than they want you to buy v.yy.

Originally Posted by averad

If the developer originally offered it for free and now is charging for the exact same version, I believe the free APK is still signed as a free program and should be distributable.

Huge discussion about this on this board already:
http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f...al-apps-12940/