Apple ‘chasing down App Store pirates’

Apple has sparked a new legal battle against websites that facilitate illicit App Store downloads, a new report suggests.

The iPhone manufacturer is sending cease and desist letters to the owners of a popular iPhone hacking online resource.

The threats, according to a Cult of Mac report, have forced the hackers to “relocate many of its servers and implement more steps for its users to avoid legal ramifications”.

In response, the iPhone hacks group has apparently “implemented Captcha checks” that need to be passed before downloading cracked apps. It is said that this is to avoid the legal implications of hosting direct links to pirated software.

“Other piracy hosts have attempted to avoid the courtroom by also moving servers to regions outside of the United States,” the report added, with the costs involved apparently the reason why the hacking network has implemented display advertising.

Develop has contacted Apple for comment.