Why we don't host apps at MobileRead
A few days ago I deleted an app that one user had uploaded. At the time I did it I was applying an old and established forum policy, and the app was a clear violation.
I was asked today to clarify and explain the policy.
We have a clear policy which applies to all content at MR, which is that copyrighted material can only be uploaded with the copyright holder's permission. That applies equally to books and apps.
What this rule means is that MR does not host copyrighted content unless we know that it was released under GPL, CC, or some other license that makes it okay for us to host and distribute a copy or if the author uploads a copy.
This rule has mainly been applied to ebooks, not apps, but the issue of apps has come up before. It was over 3 years ago, and the app was Mobipocket Desktop. I was not allowed to post a copy to MR because it was copyrighted.
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