Pirated iPhone software source ‘Installøus’ shutting down
Of course, this is just one of the currently available “installer apps” and warez sites — a drop in the digital bucket. Nevertheless, for honest developers, that one black hat is closing up shop and calling it a day can’t be bad news.
Quoting a forum post from the “Admin,” Cult of Mac reports that Installøus — an iPhone app that’s similar in function to the official App Store but that’s connected to a large repository of pirated software — is going away.
“What we do would be very hard to defend against in court,” writes the Installøus Admin. “Call me a coward, but as I said, hiding under covers is not a life for me.”
Thereupon, this person sought out a lawyer to advise him on the legality of Installøus and, well, the lawyer set him straight.
“I thought we had something legal and legitimate to offer,” says the Admin. “Unfortunately our discussion left me sad and even feeling stupid to have invested so much effort into this, and involved people with me.”
A single tear in an ocean of woe
That Installøus is shutting down probably won’t change the 80 percent iPhone app piracy rate. As with knock-off handbags, illegal drugs or warez, as long as there’s demand there will be supply.
Nevertheless, here’s hoping the cautionary tale that is Installøus will inform and motivate others to do the right thing…
What’s your take?
Related posts:
