Apparently this is a problem with a lot of open source projects like OBS Studio, Avidemux, Captura, PhotoDemon etc.

I'm not really surprised because LosslessCut is open source so everyone is legally allowed to do almost whatever they want with it. However it could be illegal is if they removed copyright notices etc, but I don't always bothered to purchase it to check. Ethically I'm still a bit puzzled by why people would do this, and why Microsoft Store allows such blatant copies of existing software in the store (or outside), even with the same name! To me this seems like the quality of the Microsoft Store and its approval process is quite low and I don't even know if users can even trust the apps found in their store. This seems like a stark contrast against the Apple Store which is known to have very strict verification and approval requirements.

I just want to make it clear that I did not create any of these clones, and who knows what code they put into them. The original LosslessCut is still located here and will always be sourced directly from the code here on github by me (after being well tested.) I will probably update readme to state this.

Store Policies state:

10.1.1 - All aspects of your product should accurately describe the functions, features and any important limitations of your product, including required or supported input devices. The value proposition of your product must be clear during the first run experience. Your product may not use a name or icon similar to that of other products, and may not claim to be from a company, government body, or other entity if you do not have permission to make that representation. Products submitted as web apps must be published by the domain or website owner.

Source code availability

LosslessCut is GPL from 16.aug 2021 and any projects based off it has to be open source too.

Fake clones in the wild

Pazu Video Cutter aka. Wecsoft Video Cutter 🛑 FAKE

See more

BoilSoft Video Splitter 🛑 FAKE

From v8.0 BoilSoft Video Splitter seems to have based their codebase off of LosslessCut's code and they are selling it for $34.95. Their UI has many of the exact same elements but modified with new elements. I cannot find LosslessCut's copyright statement (which AFAIK is required by all projects based on MIT code), and I cannot find any statement saying that the app is a fork/clone of LosslessCut.

Images:

• interface1
• equal-time
• screenshot

Thanks @taozi1996 for informing.

Microsoft Store

Here’s a list of currently illegal and/or ripoff copies of LosslessCut that have not yet been removed by Microsoft from the Store.

Previous apps

Videocut : Precision Video and Audio Editing ✅ Removed

Store ID: 5708FloraStudio.VideocutVideoEditing_1.0.2.0_x64__jprq9mmeef8hg

Videocut : Precision Video and Audio Editing is a shameless clone of LosslessCut by Flora Studio. They have also done the same with Shotcut.

Video Editor - support 4K video and DSLR photos ✅ Removed

Store ID: 48092WHNC.VideoEditor-support4KvideoandDSLRphotos_1.1.0.0_x64__f0j4wf5e3p8j2

4K Movie Maker Pro X by Cstudios‬ ✅ Removed

Some kind person reported that this app is also a clone. Name and screenshots are different, but once installed it is actually LosslessCut but I have not been able to verify that yet. Update: Seems Microsoft removed the fake app. Thanks Microsoft

LosslessCut Pro ✅ Removed

Seems like a blatant copy. Update: Seems Microsoft removed the fake app. Thanks Microsoft

Lossless Cut video audio editing ✅ Removed

I can see that someone is selling a rip off version of LosslessCut on the Microsoft Store. It's made by this github user. Update: Seems Microsoft removed the fake app. Thanks Microsoft!

Video Editor LosslessCut ✅ Removed

This app has the same name and even uses the same screenshot. Reported to MS. Update: Seems Microsoft removed the fake app. Thanks Microsoft!

Media Converter+ (screenshot) ✅ Removed

They didn't even bother to change the "contact us" email address, so I got a support email from their customer with a complaint about their app: https://twitter.com/LosslessCut/status/1608796222298677251

Update: Seems Microsoft removed the fake app. Thanks Microsoft!

Microsoft Copyright infringement form

Sample text for my reference:

This app is a clone of the real LosslessCut app, of which I am the copyright holder (https://github.com/mifi/lossless-cut/blob/master/LICENSE). It violates LosslessCut's GPLv2 license as well the other open source dependencies LosslessCut uses by not giving credit to any of these projects (from LosslessCut's GPLv2 license: "The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software."). It also does not provide a way to download source code, which also violates LosslessCut's GPLv2 license. I have proof that they have copied the complete source code of my app, because their app connects to my server upon startup (just like my app LosslessCut does), and I can therefore identify their app id INSERT_APP_ID from my server's logs.
Their app also has exactly the same UI as LosslessCut, see screenshots.

Links

• https://www.ghacks.net/2019/06/17/fake-commercial-versions-of-open-source-applications-on-the-microsoft-store/
• https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/open-source-clones-unofficially-sold-on-the-microsoft-store/
• https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-violation.en.html
• https://gpl-violations.org/faq/legal-faq/