Where to report stolen Extension / Code?

[Andreas Reinhold (surtic86)]

Hi there,

When i was making my routing searching threw the Chrome Webstore i noticed that someone copied my extension and made some small changes for his premium charging system.

Where can i report this?

My Extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/auto-swiper-for-tinder-bu/knhjggkkeoamjgogdmmefekofllomhea

The Clone: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bumble-auto-swiper/opdcooeielmckppeeiaopgfhlgcejgpn

There are some clear code Indication that he has Copied my Code!

Thanks for your Help.

Kind Regards

surtic86

[Guilherme Dellagustin]

I had something like that too.

Here is my extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/podstation-podcast-player/bpcagekijmfcocgjlnnhpdogbplajjfn

Here is the clone: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/free-podcast-player-for-c/hbkfjjgfkopdgibcdfeogbpkcndmhfdm

I didn't bother to do anything about it. As I imagined, theirs did not had much success.

In my case, mine is open source and has a permissive license, but they did not bother even changing the logo and the name in the extension itself.

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[stev...@hotmail.com]

Hi Andreas,

Try email remo...@google.com although it didn't work so well for me.

The same thing happened for my screen recording extension Reelia.

My extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/reelia-screen-recorder-ed/ajhidbbpmnhjjffefekncbdbeopghnnn
The copy: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/screen-recorder-editor-fo/lhannfkhjdhmibllojbbdjdbpegidojj

It's not very obvious from the Chrome Web Store listing however it is very clear if you install both extensions that it is a copy.

Unfortunately the copy has 400k+ users while Reelia only has 8k users. Consequently, many users may mistake Reelia as the copy.

In an attempt to address this issue, I reached out to Google via email at remo...@google.com. While they did remove the copied extension temporarily, the individual behind the copied version contested the action, leading Google to advise me to pursue legal action to permanently remove the copied extension. Given the financial constraints and the fact that the extension doesn't generate revenue for me, pursuing legal action wasn't a viable option.

In an effort to safeguard my extension from further unauthorized duplication, I obfuscated the code. However, the Chrome Web Store rejected the obfuscated code. Interestingly, I tried the same approach on the Microsoft Edge Add-on page, where it was initially approved. Unfortunately, a few months later, my extension was flagged as "Malware" and subsequently removed due to the obfuscated code, which significantly impacted the trust of my users.

On the bright side a lot of people are using code I developed, even if not under the ideal circumstances.

I hope my experiences dealing with this situation can provide some insight.

Regards,
Steven.

[Andreas Reinhold (surtic86)]

Hi Steven,

Thanks for your Reply. I have also followed your Guide on your Blog Post i found yesterday! 

i try now also with your suggested E-Mail to make something happen.

Oh that is really bothering that the Copy also manage to reach more users. But yes often they use shady tricks to achieve that as i have seen on other Posts.

Well we will see. I hope i have success in this and be able to take the Copy down and hinder him to publish more Copies. Since i also make money from my Extension and he wants to benefit from my Work with Coping and then also Charge fro Subscriptions im willing to go a bit further and contact also an attorney when it is needed.

Anyway i will improve my Extension more and more and also make it more tight with my Backend and offer there some Features so it gets harder for them to do it. Or at least it's stands more and more out. 

Kind Regards

surtic86

[Andreas Reinhold (surtic86)]

Well remo...@google.com was quite quick. They asked some additional stuff yesterday and today the Extension is not anymore available. They told me they have removed it from the search results and store.

Let's hope he can't come back with it.

[stev...@hotmail.com]

Hi Andreas,

Which blog post? I had contemplated writing about this topic but never got around to it.

That's a good point; they might indeed have some fake users. It's puzzling why Google considers them an established publisher when their website doesn't exist and it's a clear copy.

I'm relieved to hear they removed it for you, and I hope it remains removed without the need for legal action.

Cheers,

Steven.