Epic Browser stealing Cromite code and violating the GPL

[4mede]

I just took a cursory look, but the themed icon is the same, the Adblock settings are the same, bottom toolbar. If you could get this taken down it would be pretty "epic," it has 500k downloads: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epic.browser.

[uazo]

violating the GPL

it seems so.
@PF4Public @mpawlowski-eyeo do you have any suggestions?

[uazo]

For the time being, I sent an e-mail to epic.android @ hiddenreflex.com requesting the source codes for their browser.

[mpawlowski-eyeo]

Thanks for bringing this up, I'll ask our legal about it

[uazo]

no response to date.

by the way, I saw how microsoft does for edge about the gpl code in chromium.
it seems that all chromium-derived browsers are obliged to at least publish the blink gpl code changes.

[PF4Public]

no response to date.

Could you contact Google Play then?

[uazo]

Could you contact Google Play then?

what makes you think google play has any responsibility? does it say anywhere? I didn't read it in his policies, but I must have missed it.

[PF4Public]

what makes you think google play has any responsibility?

You tried contacting the publisher of the application directly without any success, you could potentially flag this application as violating the GPL via Google Play for them to take it down.

[4mede]

Yes, there's this page to file takedown requests: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/1085703?hl=en. That doesn't mean they will do it, though.

[uazo]

for the google team:

To fully assess your claims, please provide us with a side by side comparison of images or screenshots showing the alleged infringement and the copyrighted work. Without this information, we are unable to take action on your request.

documenting the use of cromite code in Epic Private Browser v129.0.6668.71:

HTTP Referer policy

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Remove-HTTP-referrals-in-cross-origin-navigation.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Sep 23, 2022

Cromite flags section

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Add-cromite-flags-support.patch
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
first release on: Nov 18, 2023

Proxy patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Add-a-proxy-configuration-page.patch
license: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Jan 1, 2019

Eyeo adblock plus (GPL) + cromite patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Eyeo-Adblock-for-Cromite.patch
License: GPL-2.0-or-later
first release on: Sep 29, 2022

Legacy (Bromite) Adblock

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Bromite-subresource-adblocker.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Sep 16, 2019

Homepage patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Add-option-to-use-home-page-as-NTP.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Mar 23, 2019

Bottom toolbar patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Move-navigation-bar-to-bottom.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Apr 14, 2022

Userscripts patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Experimental-user-scripts-support.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Oct 23, 2021

Bookmark import/export patch

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Add-bookmark-import-export-actions.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: Jan 1, 2019

Custom content settings

Epic	Cromite

patch: https://github.com/uazo/cromite/blob/master/build/patches/Content-settings-infrastructure.patch
License: GPL-3.0-only
first release on: May 5, 2022

[ShareASmile]

You can apply for takedown if a particular app is stealing your code, Copyright infringement issue or License violation (with proof) by filling Google Play take down form as documented in NewPipe dedicated issue for copycats.

The steps to report on play store by NewPipe devs are somewhat documented here

[onetimecontributor]

You can apply for takedown if a particular app is stealing your code, Copyright infringement issue or License violation (with proof) by filling Google Play take down form as documented in NewPipe dedicated issue for copycats.

The steps to report on play store by NewPipe devs are somewhat documented here

It may be that the process you've linked is heavily outdated, at least I couldn't figure out how to report the claim as I'm not the owner of the code. I've asked for a suggestion in that thread so if someone knows what to do in this situation, pls advise.

[uazo]

It may be that the process you've linked is heavily outdated

the procedure was initiated. I am waiting for a reply from google.