code177 | # 1 | 2009-11-17, 20:48 | Report

Having faithfully paid the 50 euros to register with Ovi Publishers several days ago, I have been happily working on my upcoming application, preparing for the release of the new N900 store which I was assured is in the last stages of finalization.

I have spent many years in Canada operating doing very legitimate and legal development as a sole proprietor, as long as one pays taxes, there is no necessity to incorporate as a company, as this is recognized as an important element of trade (not everyone who does business can or will incorporate).


Today my Nokia Store / Ovi Publisher account was disabled and locked out, because I am not a corporation.

Nokia does not recognize individuals or sole proprietorship as valid business entities, and as such only corporations may publish through the Ovi store. Needless to say, as a legitimate businessman, I feel incredibly let down by Nokia, and the Ovi policies. These policies are going to prevent 95% of application developers from publishing through nokia, leaving only the choice of giving our work away for free (which is fine if you're into that), or trying to establish an independent distribution channel which is going to be incredibly difficult.

Nokia should ensure that they either recognise sole proprietorships as legitimate business entities, or make it very clear - and i mean 72px font clear, that they do not allow individuals to publish through the store.

I moved over from Apple because of their policies and increasingly corporation-centric publishing rules. I'm really sad to say that it looks like I made a mistake, and without a distribution channel, Nokia has left me, and many other future application developers high and dry.



I know I'm feeling emotional, but right now I just feel like forgetting I ever heard about the N900. This sucks

w00t | # 2 | 2009-11-17, 20:52 | Report

Uh. I think this really needs sorting out. It doesn't sound right at all...

Texrat | # 3 | 2009-11-17, 20:55 | Report

Yeah, that was discussed recently, and some of us have been wracking our brains for an easy solution...

My idea is to form a loose consortium if that will work. In fact I started the LinkedIn group maemo daemons with that as part of the rationale. I have not yet dug any deeper, but if anyone has I hope they chime in!

EDIUT: code177, it might help if you could forward me the email you received, if you like.

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Last edited by Texrat; 2009-11-17 at 20:59.

Ovek | # 4 | 2009-11-17, 20:55 | Report

You can't even register in the UK if you don't have a VAT reg number, and to get one you need to have a yearly turn over of £67,000.

twaelti | # 5 | 2009-11-17, 20:56 | Report

Make sure to also add your complaint to the maemo.developers list.
This is ridicilous from Nokia. I hope it's a misunderstanding.
Quim? :-)

w00t | # 6 | 2009-11-17, 21:05 | Report

Surely the bar to entry needs to be lower than any formal business, or consortium? The world is absolutely full of sole traders and partnerships and the like. Can Maemo really afford to turn any of them away at this stage of the game?

texaslabrat | # 7 | 2009-11-17, 21:09 | Report

While only generally applicable in the U.S (AFAIK)....forming an S-Corp or LLC as an individual is pretty easy and cheap. If you are doing a lot of independent contracting and such, it's a good idea anyway to protect yourself (and your personal assets) from liability should a business relationship turn sour and litigious.

Texrat | # 8 | 2009-11-17, 21:12 | Report

Yeah, I'm afraid the revenue issue is going to be the big sticking point. But I feel this is a battle worth fighting and will do what little is in my power to try to change policy.

sharper | # 9 | 2009-11-17, 21:13 | Report

From my reading here http://discussion.forum.nokia.com/fo...d.php?t=185445 it seems they might be accepting smaller businesses next year. There's also an email address you can contact about getting a refund.

Texrat | # 10 | 2009-11-17, 21:14 | Report

I agree to an extent, and don't take "consortium" to mean corporation-- at least, not the way I'm envisioning it. In my opinion even not-for-profit organizations or perhaps even developer clubs should be able to join the Ovi store.