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Google and Apple won't let you block your app from app store requests in Texas. Fixed internet connections can be traced by IPGeo databases so you can block con

Google and Apple won't let you block your app from app store requests in Texas. Fixed internet connections can be traced by IPGeo databases so you can block connections from Texas, but mobile carriers obfuscate the IP with NAT so you can't block mobile web access. So you can try but probably not.

cmaggard 11y ago
Couldn't you simply stipulate in your ToS that if you reside in that area that you are not allowed to use said service?
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  Or something along the way that's already done? When I buy software I sometimes see a message like this: "This software costs X (+Y of some tax if you're from Texas).".
- dhimes 11y ago
  I did exactly that in software (web site) that is nearing release- so no results yet.
toomuchtodo 11y ago
Your app could require GPS permissions to start, and refuse to run if it's in Texas boundaries. I don't think Google and Apple could oppose that, as you can argue you're attempting to operate within the bounds of (patent) law.
- drdeca 11y ago
  Hm, if many people do this, it seems like this could put some pressure on the population there? How do judges get their positions again?
  - tracker1 11y ago
    Aren't the judges in question by appointment?
- vogt 11y ago
  Blocking out the largest territory in the continental United States seems like a ham-handed solution for any app.
  - lnanek2 11y ago
    Might be a good business decision. Any popular game with in app purchases tends to get a "welcome package" from a popular patent troll, for example. If you are an indie starting out you might as well avoid the legal costs by just cutting out a state that isn't going to net you much gain by itself anyway.
    - maxwelljoslyn 11y ago
      Can you please expand on "getting a welcome package from a patent troll?" What would such a troll have patented -- the concept of in-app purchases? Is the "package" a lawsuit over the use of something which they claim is patented?
      - WildUtah 11y ago
        There are dozens or hundreds of patents in force on in app purchases. [0] It's impossible to write any non-trivial software without infringing hundreds of US software patents. And as long as there are software patents, it will always be that way. [0] warning: obnoxious autoplay video http://www.x-plane.com/x-world/lawsuit/ http://www.x-plane.com/x-world/lawsuit/
  - hueving 11y ago
    Square miles isn't relevant to an app anyway.
    - vogt 11y ago
      In the plan they were proposing, it would be.
kevin_thibedeau 11y ago
You can creatively degrade the user experience based on geoIP. Probably would go undetected in Cupertino.

cmaggard 11y ago

Couldn't you simply stipulate in your ToS that if you reside in that area that you are not allowed to use said service?

TeMPOraL 11y ago
Or something along the way that's already done? When I buy software I sometimes see a message like this: "This software costs X (+Y of some tax if you're from Texas).".
dhimes 11y ago
I did exactly that in software (web site) that is nearing release- so no results yet.

toomuchtodo 11y ago

Your app could require GPS permissions to start, and refuse to run if it's in Texas boundaries. I don't think Google and Apple could oppose that, as you can argue you're attempting to operate within the bounds of (patent) law.

drdeca 11y ago
Hm, if many people do this, it seems like this could put some pressure on the population there? How do judges get their positions again?
- tracker1 11y ago
  Aren't the judges in question by appointment?
vogt 11y ago
Blocking out the largest territory in the continental United States seems like a ham-handed solution for any app.
- lnanek2 11y ago
  Might be a good business decision. Any popular game with in app purchases tends to get a "welcome package" from a popular patent troll, for example. If you are an indie starting out you might as well avoid the legal costs by just cutting out a state that isn't going to net you much gain by itself anyway.
  - maxwelljoslyn 11y ago
    Can you please expand on "getting a welcome package from a patent troll?" What would such a troll have patented -- the concept of in-app purchases? Is the "package" a lawsuit over the use of something which they claim is patented?
    - WildUtah 11y ago
      There are dozens or hundreds of patents in force on in app purchases. [0] It's impossible to write any non-trivial software without infringing hundreds of US software patents. And as long as there are software patents, it will always be that way. [0] warning: obnoxious autoplay video http://www.x-plane.com/x-world/lawsuit/ http://www.x-plane.com/x-world/lawsuit/
- hueving 11y ago
  Square miles isn't relevant to an app anyway.
  - vogt 11y ago
    In the plan they were proposing, it would be.

kevin_thibedeau 11y ago

You can creatively degrade the user experience based on geoIP. Probably would go undetected in Cupertino.