Software Policies

Last Updated June 16, 2014

In an effort to create the most up-to-date, easy-to-use, and exceptional downloading experience for our users, we prohibit certain types of software and we require that developers conduct business according to certain standards. Because software is constantly evolving, these policies are neither exhaustive nor static and may be updated at any time.

We may decline or remove applications, in our sole discretion at any time and for any reason not specifically mentioned below.

• Security, privacy, and control
• Quality and content
• Access and usability
• Data integrity
• Customer service and business practices

Security, privacy, and control

Viruses, spyware, and malware

You will not upload software that contains viruses, Trojan horses, malicious adware, spyware, or other potentially harmful components.

EULA and installation prompts

As part of your product submission, you will provide users with clear and easy to read End-User license agreement and uninstall instructions which shall allow users to cancel the installation if they do not agree to the terms.

Software bundling

You must clearly disclose any additional programs or third-party items included with the downloadable file during the installation process and users must be given a clear way to opt-out of all additional items during installation.

Removal and uninstallation

As part of your product submission, you will provide clear and easy to read uninstall and removal instructions regarding your product.

Quality and content

Software quality

You are solely responsible for the quality and integrity of your product and will not submit products that do not meet the highest industry standards.

Prohibited software

• Casino, gambling, or betting software with real wagering.
• Pornography-focused applications (for example, "porn media managers") or programs containing graphic nudity.
• Hacking and spamming tools including without limitation E-mail-extraction programs, anonymous bulk mailers, and mass-messaging IM utilities. Search-engine-manipulation and doorway-page-creation tools.
• Products that enable users to cheat in online games.
• Products that enable users to copy encrypted commercial DVDs.
• PC-monitoring applications with remote-install capabilities.
• Illegal software products.
• Products that contain, promote, or link back to sites with inappropriate, offensive, or sexually explicit content.
• Programs that install proxies for ad-injection, change existing root certificate authorities, or perform any actions that might interfere with expected servers' communication authentication and compromise a user's security against "man in the middle" attacks.

Product Information

You shall follow the Submission Instructions available at the Download.com Developer Submission portal to ensure the successful submission of your product.

Copyright and trademark

If you have a complaint please send it following the instructions provided in our terms of use available at https://www.redventures.com/legal/cmg-terms-of-use.html

Access and usability

Download links

You will provide links that will immediately initiate the file download.

Product usability

At minimum, software products submitted to our library must be working demos, and we will only accept free products or functional trial versions that allow users to experience the software adequately. We will not accept slide shows of a product or self-running demos.

Data integrity

Download counts and user opinions

You will not attempt to artificially affect download counts or user ratings. You are encouraged to link to product pages on our sites, but only via an approved button or badge, and may not submit reviews for your own products or solicit others to do so. The following behaviors are prohibited:

Duplicate listings

You will not provide multiple, separate listings for the same product or company. We may remove or suspend listings we feel are identical or substantially similar.

Product updates and product sets

Each new version of a product may be featured in the new releases list no more than two times per month, at our sole discretion and after the new information and features have been verified by our staff. New product sets (or product lines) can only be added as new product listings, and may not be submitted as modifications to already established product sets.

Use of Logos, Trademarks, and Other Copyrighted Material

We do not allow the use of Download.com logos, trademarks, and other copyrighted material of Red Ventures without permission. You may only place an approved Download button or badge on your Web site upon our written consent.

Customer service and business practices

User satisfaction

We encourage all publishers to provide quality customer service and assist users with any issues related to the software. We may choose to remove products or developers if we receive a significant volume of negative user feedback or complaints, or if we feel users are not being given an adequate level of customer service and support.