Google Pulls PSX4Droid For Sony's Xperia Play
tlhIngan writes "Google has apparently pulled an Apple and pulled PSX4Droid (a PlayStation emulator) from the Marketplace, citing 'policy violations' for it reason. It's believed that Sony's Xperia Play (aka Playstation Phone) release was behind the move. Strangely, FPSE is still on the Marketplace."
..you'd know that PSX4Droid was pulled from the markert for GPL violations, which is why FPSE is still on the Market
While I don't like the decision to remove the app from the store, and hope google clarifies the reasoning (at least to the publisher) it's not the end of the world for most Android devices since they can install the app manually. Neither iOS or Windows 7 Mobile allow for this as far as I know. And yes, some android devices don't either (mostly at&t phones) but, for now, they are the exception to the rule.
Name one Android phone that doesn't let you sideload applications.
Motorola Backflip, HTC Aria, Samsung Captivate, and other Android-powered phones sold in AT&T stores all hide the "Unknown sources" checkbox from the end user.
Maybe not piracy since without downloading the giant ISO files to play PS1 games, the emulator is just a nice file explorer shell for OI File Manger. Trademark infringement is more likely.
See here: http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4003:a7trs0.2.13
Sony has a registered trademark for PSX that pretty much includes anything dealing with electronics.
Interestingly though, Nintendo owns the patent for emulation of games on mobile devices: Patent #6,672,963
Based on Nintendo's patent, it will be 2024 before we can emulate on mobile devices freely, so ALL emulators could be removed from the market for patent infringement. But then again, there is no criminal charges for violating a patent, just civil penalties if the patent holder decides to file suit. I believe most of the emulator developers don't reside in the US, so I can see why their out of Nintendo's reach.
Turns out it's GPL violation, the guy based it off PCSX and wouldn't release the source.