Suspected Copyright Infringement of PalmPDF?

[headcronie]

Posted by MetaView at 1src here: http://www.1src.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110437

A kind customer pointed me to http://www.handango.com/PlatformProd...87934&R=187934
where some one is trying to sell a copy of PalmPDF. PalmPDF is a free and open source port of Xpdf created by myself. Even the screenshots on the Handango page are mine. I will contact the Handango team about the matter, but I fear it might be even legal to sell it. Maybe the copyright for the screenshots are mine. Also I think about to put PalmPDF into the Handango catalog. Haven't don it yet.
I don't know if I can do anything else in this matter. Any good ideas?


Editor's Note: As soon as this issue was brought to Handango's attention, this application was quickly removed. It's a dead issue at this point.

__________________

Be warned about this. Supprt MetaView! Avoid Handago. This is FREE software.

As always, this software can be found here, on the authors website: http://www.metaviewsoft.de/

[r0k]

I posted a negative review. I have found that negative reviews never see the light of day at handango and palmgear. They go to the developer first and give them a chance to try to resolve the issue. Since the issue is stealing there is no way to resolve it but to remove the product. Since handango and palmgear get a percentage of application sales, they have no incentive to protect the rights of a freeware author. Henk might consider a paid version available through their sites with older versions becoming freeware. Caution, they will prevent you from freely distributing your product if you opt to sell through them, but I don't think there is much they can do to stop you from giving away old versions. Gnu requires you give away the source. There is no requirement that you give away a ready-made makefile. Perhaps you sell palmpdf with ready-to-compile source and give away older versions with raw sources somebody has to work to build.

[Magellan]

Hey, it is only $49.99!

[XCool]

everyone, lets submit a review (rate it as poor, please!)...

do not be hold off by the message that says you must have purchased the software before you are allowed to submit a review... i just did one myself...

hopefully, the people at handango would listen and take action on this...

thanks!

[Magellan]

I guess I wouldn't worry about it too much. It isn't hurting metasoft any, and very few people will pay that kind of money when free versions are readily available. There is nothing illegal (immoral maybe) being done, and no reason for handango to pull it.

[Nine]

I posted a negative review. In it, I pointed out in it that this information is being circulated around various palm boards by many people and will hardly be helping Handango's reputation - or revenue - in the long run.

[headcronie]

Two email addresses have been posted in the 1src thread. I've written them both.

This can have a negative impact on MetaView, as the purchased software my end up being an older version, in which a user finds a problem, and then comes after MetaView for the problem (Since his name is written all over inside the application). He didn't get the money, and doesn't need the stress of dealing with the disgruntled purchaser demanding their money back either.

[Morden]

This is disgusting!!
And 50$??? Please, it must be a joke to see how many people can be fooled....

If its not removed, then no more Handango for me, thats for sure!

And: 0 Reviews. on the handango page...

s4bb ltd: go to hell.

M.

[minimalposter]

This is really a sad state of affairs. You have done a great job with this program MetaView and it is a shame that others are trying to capitalize on your work.

There does exsist such a thing as business ethics and Handago has a responsibility to live up to those as well. It is a shame that two major platforms for palm OS apps have treated the developer community in such a way. Are we ready to support a new website where 100% of the revnue is returned to the developer (site could be supported through adds). Just a rant and thought.

[DragonHunter]

I Sent Handango Public Relations an e-mail expressing my concern. What a crock.