Ask HN: Someone copied my Chrome extension, is there anything I can do?

4 pointsby xiasonghvor 3 Jahren4 comments

Someone copied my extension, changed the name, then released it on the chrome webstore. My code is open source, so I get that they are allowed to do whatever they want with it, but it seems unfair that they can take the code and make their own extension with no changes. Actually, they do have some changes: they collect user data and webpage content. The person also claims to be "ex-FANG", which just makes it worse.

I only recently wrote the extension and it doesn't have that many users, but it is one of my first projects and it's a project that I am proud of. I'm sad to see it so blatantly copied like this. Is there anything I can do or is this just the reality of open source?

4 comments

smoldesuvor 3 Jahren

If you licensed your codebase under GPL, you could demand they publish the modifications to embarrass and discredit them. Otherwise, you likely don't have many options besides complaining to Google and seeing if they agree to take the copycat down.

orderedtreevor 3 Jahren

I just arbitrarily chose MIT :(. I'll make sure to use GPL next time

smoldesuvor 3 Jahren

Make sure to consider the consequences of all the licenses. I choose GPL because I like what it stands for, but MIT can be the right tool for the right job.

IANAL, take my advice with a grain of salt.

brucethemoose2vor 3 Jahren

Yeah...

I am a MIT/Apache person, but GPL is a good license for a Chrome extension.