The scenario you're describing is exactly what we try to prevent with our code review option. Likewise, every app we broker is listed publicly on either the AppStore or Google Play, so every buyer can and SHOULD download the app to preview it.
I should also note (which I hoped was obvious, but after re-reading the post and thread I realize it isn't), that we actively reached out to this buyer to see what was wrong and what happened. We even gave him the opportunity to withdraw the chargeback and indicated that we would continue to do business with him. Even though it's somewhat of a moot point, this chargeback was not the result the buyer being misunderstanding what he was getting.
So we brokered this app acquisition. The seller (original coder of the app) sold the ownership to this buyer. After paying for and receiving the app, this buyer initiated a wrongful chargeback (we paid out the seller already, so we took the hit as the broker and escrow provider).
So in essence, since he "returned" the app to us, we now own it, and therefore, the app developer community now owns it.
OK, totally clear now. It wasn't at first clear to me what had happened to the seller. In any case, I think your decision to open source the app was totally reasonable, given the buyer's failure to pay for exclusive ownership. Just glad to hear the seller was taken care of. And thanks for the BSD license -- it's a generous license.
Really wild point. So malicious, but i guess in the same sense that would be a "clever" way to "pay yourself". The seller is someone we have worked with before and has multiple listings with Apptopia (and has had them for a few months now). They also have separate payment profiles. So if they are the same, they have gone through great lengths to hide it...
Still good to keep an eye on. Thanks for making me think through it.
So, Apptopia (https://www.apptopia.com/) doesn't list Mac apps today, but if you do have a buyer lined up, they'll do the transfer and provide escrow on the cheap.
The scenario you're describing is exactly what we try to prevent with our code review option. Likewise, every app we broker is listed publicly on either the AppStore or Google Play, so every buyer can and SHOULD download the app to preview it.
I should also note (which I hoped was obvious, but after re-reading the post and thread I realize it isn't), that we actively reached out to this buyer to see what was wrong and what happened. We even gave him the opportunity to withdraw the chargeback and indicated that we would continue to do business with him. Even though it's somewhat of a moot point, this chargeback was not the result the buyer being misunderstanding what he was getting.