Early last year Blackberry announced new software that will allow developers to repackage Android Apps for Blackberry App World. The software is available on a web interface and most developers find it very easy and convenient. Research in Motion came up with this idea as a solution to widespread criticism that the Blackberry App World lacks variety and limits app users to fewer apps, as compared with Google Play for Android. While Blackberry is still lagging behind Apple, Android and Windows in the number of Apps, its situation has improved post this announcement. The App World in the imminent Blackberry 10 will have over a hundred thousand Apps.
Among all these positive developments, some really bad news for RIM broke when a Developer wrote in with complaints on Reddit. According to the reports, the Developer has accused the Blackberry App World of selling apps that are stolen from Android’s market. While RIM’s vision was to give Android app developers an easy platform to present their apps on Blackberry as well, it appears that copycat developers have claimed some repackaged Android apps as their own.
The developer quoted in the Reddit article claims that he received complaints about his app from Blackberry Playbook users. He had never posted his app to the App World and upon further investigation he found that it was posted under a different name. Moreover, it was priced at three times the amount that the Developer had put up on Google Play.
This revelation has also thrown some other stolen apps on Blackberry App World under the spotlight. A step that was supposed to earn RIM applause has therefore turned into quite an embarrassment. RIM however seems unfazed by this and has sent out a composed statement promising due inquiry and appropriate action against any infringers upon receiving complaints from the concerned developers. How much RIM is liable in this can’t be ascertained at the moment, but the company will definitely have to deal with harsh public criticism.
As a vendor, it may be held culpable for not screening and checking the apps that it put on sale. While smartphone users often find illegally copied apps on the Internet, no user will appreciate an oversight of this magnitude from an official, reputed company. With RIM’s progress already under great skepticism, this turn of events could do some significant damage.
