Flash Lite Warez
June 26th, 2006 by Scott Janousek
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Loading ...I was searching around for recent Flash Lite content via a prominent search engine … and low and behold, came across what I thought at first was a new mobile aggregator … well, it was in a way …
Flash Lite content was being aggregated by what else, a warez site. Yep, one specializing in mobile apps/games.
This wasn’t free content either. The developers and CP’s (content providers) are selling it online at various legitimate aggregators. Yes, it was bound to happen sooner or later (in fact, it’s probably been there all along, just not as apparent or easily discoverable). In fact, it wasn’t just FL, it was other platforms as well.
In this specific instance, I’ve notified all parties involved, so if you haven’t been contacted then your content wasn’t likely listed. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t posted elsewhere …
This isn’t anything new, as we’ve seen content overseas (APAC in particular) posted (where it’s harder to track down and nail people). We’ve all either seen or heard about the $.99 copies of various commercial software on street corners and back alleys! Unfortunately, the mobile world is not immune to this problem either, so Flash Lite content is sometimes vulnerable (depending on how you are disseminating your content).
Granted, this is not something new to the Flash world either, but all Flash Mobile designers and developers should be aware of this underground practice and take steps to try to protect their content online. How? Good Question. At this time, there is no real complete solution to this problem, in all instances, with Flash Lite content. Ultimately it comes down to your distribution methods and business model. But, this is a reminder to remain vigilant and proactive with the protection of your content once it is deployed.
The good thing in all of is (if there is such a thing) … is that it shows that the content is worth stealing. So if you have been contacted by me … at least you know your content is good enough to steal?!
This isn’t to say that every single piece of Flash Lite content was up there … so don’t be too overly alarmed. There were a handful of apps & games. If I did not send an email, I’d just recommend searching on your content periodically to see if things turn up (without consent).
Finally, if you thought I was going to post the actual warez site. Think again. Geez!
I’m sure if you ask an independent content developer or provider for a trial version of an app or game, they just might be willing to mock one up for distribution (if it doesn’t already exist). Ask!
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June 29th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
[...] Scott uncovers a warez site that is trading what else but Flash Lite games and apps, but in an effort to stop the madness he doesn’t link to the site. Instead Scott play warez police and lets developers know if he sees their work on the illegal site - good job, Scott! [...]
June 29th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
I too have seen one place that claims to have been given the rights to sell the of content others in a vip area as well my own. I have contacted to devlopers of the content asking if they trully have gave the rights over, but I’am still waiting for their reply.