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On August 21, 2012, U.S. authorities seized the domains applanet.net, appbucket.net, and snappzmarket.com in an enforcement action tied to alleged distribution of unauthorized copies of copyrighted Android apps. The seizure was not a ruling that alternative app marketplaces as a category are illegal; it targeted three named domains and was followed by separate criminal cases.
Which Android app markets did authorities seize?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said seizure orders were executed against these three domains on August 21, 2012:
- applanet.net
- appbucket.net
- snappzmarket.com
DOJ described the sites as involved in illegally distributing copies of copyrighted Android apps. It said the operation was coordinated with authorities in the Netherlands and France. DOJ also characterized it as the first seizure of website domains involving cell-phone app marketplaces; that is DOJ’s historical claim about the action.
The action concerned the named domains. It did not establish that every independent or alternative Android app marketplace was unlawful.
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- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Why were the domains seized?
DOJ’s 2012 announcement said copyright law applies to phone and tablet apps just as it does to other software, music, and written works. Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer said, “Cracking down on piracy of copyrighted works – including popular apps – is a top priority of the Criminal Division.” DOJ’s seizure announcement described the sites as distributing pirated apps.
The case therefore concerned alleged unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted apps, not the mere fact that a marketplace offered Android applications outside a particular store.
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What did DOJ later allege about the groups?
In a July 2014 charging announcement, DOJ reported indictments involving members of the Applanet, Appbucket, and SnappzMarket groups. Its release alleged large-scale distribution and supplied separate figures for each case. Those figures were allegations reported by DOJ at charging time, not a single industry-wide estimate:
| Group | DOJ’s 2014 alleged volume and stated retail value |
|---|---|
| Applanet | More than 4 million copyrighted app copies, with a stated retail value of more than $17 million |
| SnappzMarket | More than 1 million app copies, with a stated retail value of more than $1.7 million |
| Appbucket | More than 1 million app copies, with a stated retail value of more than $700,000 |
These are case-specific figures in DOJ’s 2014 charging announcement. The release stated that defendants were presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. An indictment is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.
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- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
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- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
What happened after the seizure?
The domain seizures, charging announcements, guilty pleas, and convictions were distinct stages in the cases. DOJ later reported guilty pleas by conspirators in two Android app piracy groups in April 2014. In November 2016, DOJ announced that a fourth SnappzMarket member had been convicted after a bench trial. The 2016 release described evidence presented at trial and reported that more than 1 million apps were estimated to have a total retail value exceeding $1.7 million.
These later outcomes do not mean that every person associated with the groups had the same procedural outcome. For the subsequent case records, see DOJ’s 2014 guilty-plea announcement and 2016 SnappzMarket conviction announcement.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What this 2012 case does—and does not—show
The case documents a specific historical enforcement action against three domains and records DOJ’s allegations and later outcomes involving the named groups. It does not establish how common Android app piracy is today, what current alternative marketplaces offer, or what security risks a present-day Android user faces. The available figures relate to those cases and should not be treated as current measures of piracy or marketplace size.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
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