Protecting app on the market

[imbault]

Hi,

Does anyone know how to protect an application :

I mean, using the google market place, but validating the user when he installs the application, by a email list, or mail exchange or I don't kown...

Thanks.

Patrick

 

[NJDude]

You have at least a couple of ways of doing that, read about Licensing library and Code Obfuscation

 

[imbault]

I allready used the licensing library, but I do not see how it can allow someone using your application ?

Any clue?

Thanks

Patrick

 

[rfresh]

Is your app a free app or a paid for app?

 

[imbault]

It's a free app, I've read licensing is OK for free apps. But that point is not very clear, reading Google, about free and not free apps.

Is licensing is for paid applications?

Thanks

 

[timo]

Is licensing is for paid applications?Thanks

Yes. It makes no sense to protect a free one

 

[imbault]

For sure, it makes a sense protecting a free application.

Google play allows setup and updates easily.

My app is a corporate app, so I just want to "validate" people getting that application.

Patrick

 

[imbault]

Application Licensing | Android Developers

Note: The Google Play Licensing service is primarily intended for paid applications that wish to verify that the current user did in fact pay for the application on Google Play. However, any application (including free apps) may use the licensing service to initiate the download of an APK expansion file. In which case, the request that your application sends to the licensing service is not to check whether the user paid for the app, but to request the URL of the expansion files. For information about downloading expansion files for your application, read the guide to APK Expansion Files.

 

[NJDude]

If your app is a corporate app then it shouldn't be posted on the Market, you should host the APK on your company's server, if you must have it on the Market, then you will have to implement a login system, after a successful login then the app continues to run, but in my opinion, that's too much work, I would host the APK as I mentioned above.

 

[Osi]

Also, if it is a corporate app, you should keep a list of each device that is permitted to use the app (deviceId, phoneId, etc). That way, if your APK gets leaked outside of corp, it won't run on any devices that have not been whitelisted.

This is where the Code Obfuscation comes in to help a little bit. Basically, it is a deterrant to keep basic pirates from stealing your code.

 

[timo]

If it is a corporate app, I agree with NjDude. The Market isn't the right place for that. If you put the app on a Company server, users have to allow 'unknown sources' under settings.

 

[peacemaker]

No good way to protect Java-based application, it can rather easily be decompiled. Obfuscation is just a bit complexity to understand the code, but anyway a reverse-engineer (super-puper-hacker ) can see functions used and conditions checks, so....easily to try to change and re-compile...

 

[bodycode]

I've read all the posts in this thread. The thing that I think people NEED to think about, is how to protect the "look and feel" of an app as well and not just either the code itself, or even it's functionality. It's complicated, ain't it? A good example is a calculator. We all know, that the generic calculator can't be trademarked or copyrighted based solely on it's functionality. Calculators have been around in both hardware and software form for many MANY decades, right? So! What to? You need to write an app that is SO unique, a GUI that is a beautiful work, a work of art, that is easily distinguishable from other calculator apps. Again... same functionality but totally different GUI, a unique GUI that is all your own.

I came to this thread seeking advice. And now, I'm giving it. Well, not really effective "to do" stuff, but just stuff to think about. What I NEED TO KNOW is how to copyright, how to trademark, how to patent, and how to protect an app from here to Kindom Come! I have a VERY unique that absolutely does NOT exist anywhere, either in function or form, and I need to protect it via, trademark, copyright, and patent. I have absolutely no idea how and am a little fishy about the differences.

Thanks in advance for links.

Regards,
bodycode

 

[peacemaker]

Seems, it's question to a lawer. Here is mostly a technical forum regarding how to do some subject in Basic4Android.

 

[bodycode]

You're right. Thanks.

bodycode

 

[LucaMs]

This is not inherent, but ...

I still think that Google may freely provide "inaccurate" data about the actual downloads of our apps.

I would like to contrive a protection about this. Your suggestions are welcome!