iPhone developer adds “phone home” capability to stop app piracy

iPhone application developer Ben Chatelain has become, like many others, fed up with app piracy, and has chosen to make an effort to fight back. iPhoneFreak reports.

Ben began thinking and decided to create a server callback system that would alert him when someone was running a cracked version of his application. The callback gave Ben information which included the UDID (Unique Device Identifier) of the iPhone. From there the server could then determine if the app was paid for or pirated. For those that were determined as pirated, the server would then allow the app to run as a demo and present the user with a message after 10 uses that reads:

“You are running a pirated copy of Full Screen Web Browser and have used it beyond the trial period. Purchasing a legal copy helps support independent software development and will help me feed my 1-year old baby.”

Once the user is presented with the message, they can choose to either shut down the app, or pay for it.

emily | 9:59 PM | Cell Phone Apps Related Articles |
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