Hello everyone, we have to say good-bye this time. Here’s our story in brief (I really don’t have the mood to write anything in length right now 
):
As many of you know, we develop an app named ‘Open Home’ which allows users to develop themes for to replace their phones’ standard home screen. In addition, we realize that while many artists may have the skills to develop themes but they don’t necessary have the knowledge to publish them on the android market. Therefore, we allow our users to send their themes to us and we will publish them on the market for them for free. Open Home was one of the very first few popular paid app for the android market when android was still in its infancy.
During the life of Open Home (about 2 years up to this point), we have received 2 app suspension notifications from Google for 2 of the skins we published. Since then, we had been really careful about publishing anything that are likely to have copyright issues. About 10 days ago, we suddenly received a notification from Google that tells us our developer account was suspended (see post below for more details). From the vague suspension email, we suspected that our account might have been suspended because some of these skins that we have published over the years. We tried contacting Google but received no responses. Therefore, we decided to just upload the 3 apps that we are sure have no copyright problems: Better Keyboard, Better Cut and Better Alarm back to the market. In less than 3 days of republishing Better Keyboard, one of our most popular apps, the app had already received over 20,000 downloads.
This morning we finally received an official statement from Google regarding the suspension of our account:
“Hello,
Thank you for your note. We apologize for our delayed response. Your
Android Market Publisher account has been suspended due to multiple
suspension violations of our Terms of Service. You may view these terms
here:
http://www.android.com/us/developer-distribution-agreement.html
http://www.android.com/market/terms/developer-content-policy.html
Please note that Android Market Publisher suspensions are associated with
developers, and may span multiple account registrations and related Google
services. Please do not register a new developer account. We will contact
you should your account become reinstated.
We will not be restoring your account at this time.
Regards,
The Android Market Team”
The email was clearer this time, our account was suspended because of multiple violation of TOS, which we honestly did had over the years of publishing different skins for Open Home. What we really concerned are the part that it gives the developer little chance to correct the mistake, it says “Please note that Android Market Publisher suspensions are associated with developers, and may span multiple account registrations and related Google services. “. It basically says once your account is terminated once, not only the apps that violates the market TOS are banned, ALL of your apps, regardless of what they are, will be banned from the market.
And that’s what they did, a couple of hours ago, the new developer account we registered to upload Better Keyboard, Better Cut and Better Alarm was terminated again.
Unfortunately this time we really don’t feel like dealing with the Google android market anymore. We think pulling the apps for copyright issues are understandable, but banning all apps from a developer because of some of the apps the developer had published is absolutely despicable.
For all our paid users of Better Keyboard, Open Home, Better Cut, etc, all we can say at this point is that we are truly sorry about this. If you have the unlock key, please make sure you back it up using apps such as “Astro File Manager”. We will offer our apps on alternative android market instead such as the Amazon AppStore, and slideme.org in the next couple of days.
We know we should share some of the blames, but if you think we took your money and left, we really didn’t. It’s Google who took your purchase away for ridiculous collateral banning policy. You should also know that we are not the first, the popular emulator developer YongZh was a very famous example (http://mashable.com/2011/05/30/emulators-banned-android-market/) . That was probably a million dollar worth of purchases (perhaps more) that was taken away from the android users in that incident. If you feel angry about this ridiculous practice like we do, you should voice your opinion by writing to the android market using the following link:
http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/bin/request.py?contact_type=contact_policy&policy=apps
#1 by joe tedesco on August 12, 2011 - 4:29 am
I love the betterkeyboard app, so I bought it. But when I activated my new phone (My Touch) the unlock key was gone. Where did it go? I could download the app, but couldn’t unlock it.
#2 by punyweakling on August 12, 2011 - 4:42 am
Jesus
#3 by Antecedence on August 12, 2011 - 5:40 am
*sad panda is sad*
I have sent a message into google. I hope all other will do the same.
#4 by Kiiana on August 12, 2011 - 6:27 am
I’m confused…better keyboard still not appearing in android market.
#5 by ashwingeek on August 12, 2011 - 6:33 am
This is very unfair. Google have to pay more attention to the apps they suspend. The market is filled with crap apps which they have to remove, yet they remain, while genuinely good apps are removed.
Happy to know that you will support your apps on the Amazon appstore and slideme.
Just my 2 cents, you could also host the free apps on Getjar and enable in-app purchase
Don’t give up
#6 by Nick The Fn Icon™ (@NickTheFNicon) on August 12, 2011 - 7:48 am
Is there a way we can get a copy of the unlock key we purchased before? I wiped my phone and it was out of the market when I went back to get it. I still have the order confirmation to verify the purchase.
#7 by rhinomeister on August 12, 2011 - 8:01 am
This is disgraceful!! You had some of the best apps ever produced for the android system and google just disregard that fact and terminate your account for a couple of infringements that you were never even warned about before they brought the executioners axe down.
It is a truly sad day when a great publisher gets treated like this by a bunch of monkeys at google.
I hope you have more respect from wherever you publish your apps next and to show my support I will purchase open home unlock key and better keyboard key from you again (since I flashed my phone they are both gone)
Good luck in your future endeavors and keep up the fantastic work.
Ryan
#8 by Christian on August 12, 2011 - 8:29 am
Well, just go to Amazon’s Android market, go to Mobilism market or go to Applanet.
#9 by Hetal Patel on August 12, 2011 - 8:32 am
I have sent this to vic gundotra lets see
#10 by Dan Dart on August 12, 2011 - 8:48 am
Good luck. Looking forward to seeing you thrive on actually free apk distribution services. Party on.
#11 by batjnr on August 12, 2011 - 11:39 am
hi!i had purchased bettercut in android market. i live in sweden so i cannot access amazon appstore.how do i get it my paid app?thanks
#12 by Mathieu on August 12, 2011 - 12:31 pm
I would be surprised if there wasn’t a big company behind all this asking Google to remove your apps from the Market…. maybe because just one time you uploaded a skin that violate this big company IP and this company CEO heard about it. No matter if skin is not available anymore.
#13 by AbsoluteZero on August 12, 2011 - 1:28 pm
An article explaining how all apps were removed from the Market and still 2 of the first 4 comments ask why the apps don’t show up on the Market.
Just wow…
#14 by Codered on August 13, 2011 - 5:41 pm
This is the reason for the confusion:
“From the vague suspension email, we suspected that our account might have been suspended because some of these skins that we have published over the years. We tried contacting Google but received no responses. Therefore, we decided to just upload the 3 apps that we are sure have no copyright problems: Better Keyboard, Better Cut and Better Alarm back to the market. In less than 3 days of republishing Better Keyboard, one of our most popular apps, the app had already received over 20,000 downloads.”
#15 by tarnisha on August 12, 2011 - 3:59 pm
i cant believe this..ii just got better keyboard yesterday and went back to get the key this morning but i couldnt get it..!! this suckkz..uu guys apps are great and for them to cut u guess off..sucks hard!! how can i get it contact with them..!!???
#16 by Sigmund on August 12, 2011 - 4:30 pm
Please upload to AppsLib! I live in Costa Rica and want the app and some themes!!! Please please!!! Or at least leave the themes to upload in here as attachments and only upload the apps to the Markets
#17 by fluffy on August 12, 2011 - 4:47 pm
This is bullshit. >:(
#18 by roflcopter on August 12, 2011 - 7:20 pm
Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time
#19 by James on August 12, 2011 - 9:58 pm
Isn’t it a violation of the ToS just for having “Android” in your name…?
#20 by Thomas Hagan (@Lifeshifter) on August 12, 2011 - 11:17 pm
I wish they would have just banned the other app instead of taking all your apps off the market! I went to buy the paid version today and it was off the market after I just got the trial version the other day!! Very upset that google doesn’t remove the shit worth nothing ad apps instead of taking down the good guys that produce good apps!!
I hope you one day reconsider and just re-upload the apps that didn’t violate the policy!
#21 by Colby on August 13, 2011 - 1:20 am
Seriously? it says that you will be suspended for multiple infractions, regardless if other apps are not violating the TOS. Yes its unfair that they banned ALL of your apps, but they are in the right, and you had violated the agreement and therefore you have been punished
#22 by Patrick Jaques on August 13, 2011 - 3:14 am
When BetterAndroid’s developer account and apps were banned the first time, they posted “we have been banned and don’t know why”. In statements that followed, they acknowledged over two years they violated copyrights with their “Open Home” app and had received warnings. So, bottom line they knew why there were banned this time and were just trying to play the victim.
That being said, I believe Google TOS policies need to change.
1. Better communication between Google and the Developer.
2. Google needs to provide a clear and concise explanation of the nature of the violation.
3. Give the developer an opportunity to fix the violation.
4. A major overhaul of what constitutes a copyright violation. A complaint should not be sufficient. There needs to be a burden of proof which should come from the person making the complaint.
5. Minor violations of a single app should not cause a developer account to be suspended or all their apps to be removed from the Market.
When should immediate action be taken against a developer:
1. When a developer does not address a violation in a reasonable time frame.
2. When there have been too many violations by a developer.
3. When a developer collects information they should not.
4. When a developer uses an application as a means of distributing Malware
#23 by Mary on August 13, 2011 - 6:20 am
Buenisimo
#24 by shietamia on August 13, 2011 - 3:00 pm
This is crazy that app was the best and I’m mad as hell, when I setup my epic it was gone from the market, SO what about my money it doesn’t matter if it was only 3dollars I still paid for it that’s bad people buy things on here and lose their money no matter how much it is. I want better keyboard bac or my money …………..
#25 by Blanca on August 13, 2011 - 3:20 pm
N quiere a bril en my toch 4g
#26 by deaconblade on August 13, 2011 - 3:50 pm
one has to wonder if it’s even worth it download anything from the Market … what if they just decide to pull things just because one day .. there’s literally nothing that can be done about it … nothing but hope the developer will refund you for being booted.
i rarely download from the Market for this reason alone. and they wonder why he App Store is crushing them.
#27 by fluffy on August 13, 2011 - 7:21 pm
Just got another response from them:
My reply:
#28 by fluffy on August 13, 2011 - 7:35 pm
And just got this reply, which I guess they have as the LAST WORD:
#29 by fluffy on August 13, 2011 - 7:44 pm
I just replied to them again. I originally had a lot more profanity in it but I thought better of it.
#30 by David on August 15, 2011 - 5:36 pm
I thought when the guy said, “I encourage you to speak to the developer as I have no further information about the app or it suspension,” you might understand that. Clearly, these guys you are emailing are just tech support for the market; all they know is how to troubleshoot why your downloads are stuck and stuff like that. Yes, it’s Google’s only real open line of communication, but everybody here is harassing these people at their jobs when their job isn’t to deal with harassment. This is kind of sad.
#31 by fluffy on August 16, 2011 - 7:08 pm
Wanting our apps back and being concerned about Google’s handling of this issue is harassment, now? What a strange world you live in.
#32 by James on August 13, 2011 - 7:46 pm
It’s kind of bizarre how this works… Everybody here is upset at Google for losing their money, but they’re not thinking about it. You don’t blame Craigslist when you buy a couch that is infested with roaches, right? So why are you blaming Google for this?
I have the application on my device, I don’t plan on uninstalling it, so don’t think I don’t support Better Android, I just don’t understand how the user base could be so ignorant… :-/
#33 by fluffy on August 14, 2011 - 5:06 am
How the hell is that even remotely like a reasonable analogy?
#34 by fluffy on August 14, 2011 - 5:18 am
Here’s a better analogy: Someone sells a lot of furniture on Craigslist, and everyone likes their furniture and does a really good job of it, and also makes sure that all of their buyers are still happy with their furniture months or even years later. However, somewhere along the line, someone at Craigslist hears that the furniture seller once sold a piece of furniture which may have had bedbugs in it a long time ago, and then decides to not only ban the person from selling on Craigslist ever again, but also prevents them from helping their past buyers keep their couch in good condition.
#35 by James on August 17, 2011 - 9:30 pm
Here’s a better analogy: the person selling the stuff on Craigslist knowingly sells the item full of bedbugs, and does it repeatedly, then improves a bit by releasing better items but still has those bedbug-ridden items for sale if people are dumb enough to purchase them. During this time, this person is toting themselves to be a notable and well-known manufacturer, when in fact they are just some random guy in a basement with a table saw and some free time, so Craigslist removes them and all their wares from their site.
BETTER ANDROID, the name itself, is trademark infringement.
#36 by James on August 17, 2011 - 11:11 pm
Here’s a better analogy: a guy sells furniture he knows is ridden with bed bugs, but then changes his mind and starts selling regular stuff but still has the bed bugs available. At the same time, he’s stamping his products with a major well-known brand but he’s actually just some guy with a table saw and some free time. Craigslist catches wind of this obvious copyright issue and bans them from placing an ad on there again.
Better Android has had applications that were ridden with bed bugs (copyright) and then stopped supporting it but released a few decent items (Better Keyboard). However, they still had their nasty beds on the Market (copyright apps, still). At the same time, they’re claiming to be a larger company (Android) and releasing their goods claiming to be that company (because their name is Android). They were caught and punished and that’s the end of it.
Some punishment, though; they get to walk away from all of their users with all the money that was paid for the app in their pocket with no need to update or improve their application.
#37 by Sallie Krebs on August 13, 2011 - 8:15 pm
This bites the big one. I did as suggested and let them know I’d be using Amazon App Store a lot more from now on.
#38 by h3llsdr0id Dev Team on August 14, 2011 - 4:45 am
Google is starting to act like Facebook. This is retarded. I have an unlock key that I unfortunately never backed up. But its all good. If y’all need any funds or donations to help you at all, or need the help of our team (who also just happens to have 3 lawyers who are app developers) please email me. We are great at writing letters and getting petitions together. My brother is an attorney and he is pissed about what they did to you. Please don’t hesitate. This reply you received was much to broad to single you out in the way that it did. Thank you for letting us know what happened, rather than just saying “f$%k it” and leaving everyone pissed.
- the TANK
#39 by kelly on August 14, 2011 - 5:25 am
This sux, i just got a new phone after mine being stolen. I wondered what happened. I loved both apps .
#40 by amiv2 on August 14, 2011 - 8:17 am
Many people are concerned over policies and enforcement that is completely obscure. From social networks (FB, LI) to applications, we see this kind of banning all the time. Essentially the people running the sites and setting policies can’t keep up with the changes users see all the time. It seems that this is just like the problems we have with government not coping with the freedom we need to express ourselves. I guess this opens up the opportunity for others to offer more open policies. I hope someone out there takes this opportunity seriously and opens up alternative portals for applications and social networking. It seems funny that in the world of “openness” we still give companies like Google the power over us. I guess freedom is not that easy. At least that what lawyers would tell you from experience.
#41 by CRX on August 14, 2011 - 1:21 pm
Why don’t you use the Amazon App store?
#42 by and on August 14, 2011 - 2:30 pm
i buy and install BK (she’s the best!), and i must reinstall system android, later i can’t install better keyboard again from android market, i need polish dictionary, f*****g google, sorry for my english
#43 by ProjectJourneyman on August 14, 2011 - 4:31 pm
SlideMe.org is definitely a good one for international exposure, and Amazon is good to have your apps on anyway.
For more exposure for free apps, also consider GetJar.
There are a few dozen app stores for Android, but those are the best place to start.
I have researched over 30 of them – you can get more exposure by being available in many places, but you have to balance that with how much effort it is to maintain those outlets.
#44 by roger on August 14, 2011 - 7:58 pm
Open home and better keyboard are the best apps what the hell I can’t even use a Droid without them I’m definitely using Amazon app store from now on unless they fix this. Been using bother these apps since the g1
#45 by kara on August 14, 2011 - 9:17 pm
I am completely outraged with google, Open home and open home themes are the BEST apps out on the market! I purchased so many apps and I’m upset that now I can’t have any of them!!! They should atleast let the consumer keep the ones that have been purchased! Not only am I out of my apps but also out of my money! Thanks a lot google!
#46 by Jenna Leigh on August 15, 2011 - 1:09 am
I also contacted them and voiced my disgust. Thankfully, I backed up my BK (but not my skins)
I can understand Google suspending a developers “application” (specifically any that violate their TOS), but I am pissed that they can just unplug ALL of your published apps.
I don’t blame you guys for moving on, if that’s what you decide to do. I will certainly follow you no matter where you go.
#47 by John on August 15, 2011 - 1:52 am
So basically anybody with 120$ can get a dev license, throw an app up that violates the TOS, make some money and then run with it?
And google is facilitating this?
Unbelievable.
#48 by UserX on August 17, 2011 - 8:57 am
Thats exactly how it works.
I am also a fellow developer that has received the exact same email originally posted above, and have had the exact same respect from Google.
Oh, and the dev license is $25.
Even better, the app wont be on Google’s radar until someone reports it for a specific reason, once you are suspended and start a new name, your on thin ice. But it holds ;x
#49 by Justin on August 15, 2011 - 2:38 am
I feel bad for you guys. I recently got a new waranteed phone and tried dowloading Open Home from the market but it was gone. I felt really bad for two reaons. One, that I paid for it, but that wasn’t the main reason for it was only 3 bucks. Two, such a great app was gone, that’s what was the worst. I really hope google straightens up. They’re acting like a buch of babies right now, and aren’t reasonable. I hope everything works out for you. I ended up using astro to get it on my new phone along with my themes and icon packs. I loved your products. They were great. Please try and straighten it out and I plan on contacting google.
#50 by Andrew on August 15, 2011 - 4:04 am
The suspension is unjust for the developer, and even more damaging to the user.
I have sent an email to Google Inc. in support of your dev team, and customers alike.
#51 by Opal Cat on August 15, 2011 - 12:38 pm
I agree with the suggestion to try the Amazon app store. Short of that, just distribute it from your own website. That’s what I’m doing with my app while it’s in beta testing. I need my BetterCut! I was able to fish the apk out of a backup and get it going again, but that was just lucky on my part.
#52 by Phill S on August 15, 2011 - 4:02 pm
Really blows.. i recently factory reset my phone, and now when going to go get better keyboard back, its gone, not even in my purchase history anymore
only app ive even purchased, that and bejewelled.. and i dont even have backups 
.. Google should, at the very least, leave the apps users have paid for, accessible thru their purchase history, not like googles servers dont have redundant backups of everything anyways..
#53 by bex77 on August 16, 2011 - 1:37 am
This would be a -1.
thanks Google.
#54 by Jayde on August 16, 2011 - 9:25 pm
Kinna pissed cause I paid for that app and I loved it … Now my phone is dry and ugly ! Please bring it back !
#55 by jojobean on August 16, 2011 - 9:40 pm
Damn that really sucks
thanks for letting me know to back up my apps before I switched phones 
#56 by Lewis Skinner on August 17, 2011 - 3:15 am
Shame guys. Any chance you can publish the better keyboard 8 .apk here? I fortunately found a really old backup of BK7 on my sd, which I’ve reinstalled with Titanium (I updated to 2.3.3 and then rooted, so I lost a lot of my apps) but I much preferred BK8!
#57 by UserX on August 17, 2011 - 9:05 am
http://www.petitiononline.com/androidm/
This will help, one day.
Please encourage your users to sign this.
#58 by Ken on August 17, 2011 - 2:44 pm
I’m not sure why everyone is pissed off at Google for this (including the developer).
I LOVE BetterKeyboard, it’s possibly my favorite app on my Evo. Unfortunately, as a Developer you should have read the TOS in greater length. The fact that you got one violation on your account should have been enough to send a message to Google asking how you can fix the situation so it doesn’t happen again.
Instead, you managed to get a couple more violations on top of that based on TOS and Google finally said, “Okay, enough with you, we’re going to suspend your account because you didn’t learn after the first time.”.
Google created a play area for developers…gave you some rules to go by (TOS)…you didn’t play nice and didn’t follow the rules…not once, but multiple times and now you got put into the time out area.
I just don’t see how you can justify making a post about you not following the rules and making the people who made the rules be the bad guys. Own up.
#59 by will on August 17, 2011 - 4:29 pm
Wow bummer thankfully I backed up app and unlock key but forgot to back up HD green skin does anyone have it?
#60 by maphead on August 17, 2011 - 4:59 pm
Great ad for Titanium Backup.
#61 by Kev on August 17, 2011 - 6:36 pm
This is really unbelievable and unfair to both Better Android and the users, but fortunately it seems like you have a lot of support from us. Simply based on observation and the amount of support, your apps would definitely be successful on other markets.
I have been watching the Amazon App Store since this story was posted and haven’t seen anything yet, are you still planning on releasing it there?
#62 by Brian on August 17, 2011 - 11:06 pm
hahaha… everybody here is going after google for their refunds when all their money actually went to better android… what do you expect google to do? give everybody who downloaded the app their $3 and let better android walk away with all their money? go to your developer for your refund. google only gets the developers fee and nothing else.
#63 by Jonathan on August 18, 2011 - 10:34 pm
can you please post Better Keyboard to the Amazon App store? I need better keyboard back I had to uninstall it!
#64 by Kenji on August 19, 2011 - 5:55 am
Really? Classic example of how a typical corporation thinks they control the universe. I despise google, yet I use a google phone with google affiliated application…… anyhow. I went on to the market tonight to find Better Keyboard. My favorite keyboard. Im a paid user. …..to only find out that….. IT WAS TAKEN FROM THE MARKET! This pisses me off beyond all belief. Google is nothing more than a power abusing corporation. I fucking hate google. Excuse my lack of proper words.
#65 by matt on August 19, 2011 - 1:41 pm
funny. I did post a complaint with the market. I do love these apps but they said they would upload to other sites in a few days and they are still not up a week later. I really need my apps back at least post here again and tell us it might take longer