Andre Yoskowitz
8 Jan 2011 16:22
Launched on January 6th, the Mac App Store is already seeing its apps pirated or modified, thanks to lax security from developers and Apple.
Some of the paid apps "do not properly validate App Store receipts," allowing users to download the programs and not pay for them.
App Store receipts from any previous purchase (even on free apps) can be copy-and-pasted to validate the new downloads.
John Gruber (of Daring Fireball), does note that the 'hack' "isn't true for all paid Mac App Store apps."
It does affect apps where the "developers were lax about applying Apple's recommendations on validating store receipts. The app checks to ensure there is a valid receipt, but it doesn't check that the ID listed on the receipt belongs to the app," elaborates eW.
Although it is unclear how many apps are affected, insanely popular game 'Angry Birds' is one that can be pirated.
Apple said there were over 1 million downloads on the first day of the Store.