a warning about Google Play

[Imperf3kt]

With regards to the two images in your previous post, the first image describes an act of violence - strictly against Google's terms of service, even if its just text/a story.

This is incorrect.

The rules ban graphic, gratuitous depictions of violence or other dangerous activities.

My mistake, thank you for clarifying that.

[zankizuna]

okay... maybe we accept not doing swimsuits and cleavage.. but the Copyright claim thing just blows.
Don't they have confirmation for things like that? What happened to due process?
Someone can claim your work and it immediately just gets taken down?

[jack_norton]

I have no clue, but when I showed them an article/review and Steam page of 5 years older they understood that "maybe" I made that game way before it showed up on their store
Another time they banned an app because "I was showing inappropriate ads to minors". NONE of my apps had any ads! When I pointed out they were silent but if that time counted towards the "multiple violation" then...

[fleet]

Claiming ownership of an uploaded game is very simple (and someone can easily lie and 'claim' that they are the owner/copyright holder).

Here is an edited 'Take down notice' that I submitted to 'keep to share' when someone uploaded one of my visual novels there without my permission.

"I have a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of here is not authorized by me, the copyright holder, or the law. The information provided here is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I swear under penalty of perjury that I am the copyright holder.

This file is my visual novel (NAME REMOVED). I am the author and copyright holder.

http:(LOCATION AND FILE NAME REMOVED)

Here is a link to a picture on my page at deviant art.
http:(LINK REMOVED)
It shows raw artwork I made and used in the visual novel.
You will note that the date that this was uploaded to deviantart was (DATE REMOVED).


Whoever uploaded this to your site did so in violation of the terms of use, which are shown in the readme file contained in (NAME OF ZIPPED FILE REMOVED).

I respectfully request you remove the file.

My mailing address is
(REMOVED)

e-mail: (REMOVED)"

'Keep to share' removed the file.

[Imperf3kt]

Someone can claim your work and it immediately just gets taken down?

That's standard in the world of copyright
Google can be sued if they don't comply, so it's easier / better to remove the reported work and then ask the uploaded to counter the claim.
There's generally big fines involved for the false claim or false counter, whichever comes to be.

And no, it isn't only hobbyists and indie devs who are at risk of this, even big companies get their work removed. It's sometimes used as a business strategy.

Some further info on that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuse_of_process
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_troll
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyfraud
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vexatious_litigation