Software Policies

In an effort to create the most up-to-date, easy-to-use, and exceptional downloading experience on the Web, we prohibit certain types of software and we require that publishers conduct business according to certain standards. We expect publishers to comply with these Software Policies and the spirit of our Mission Statement. Because software is constantly evolving, these policies are neither exhaustive nor static. We may decline or remove applications for reasons not specifically mentioned below if we determine there has been a violation of any of our policies.

Click the icon to get more information about each topic.

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

We will not list software that contains viruses, Trojan horses, malicious adware, spyware, or other potentially harmful components. We will not list products known to contain such items in instances outside Download.com, and we may disallow products from publishers our editors feel violate the spirit of this policy.

All products in our library must present users with a clear and easy-to-read license agreement, and provide users with an opportunity to cancel the installation if they do not agree to the terms. End-user license agreements are a contract with the user, and in keeping with that spirit they must be truthful, accurate, comprehensive, and easy to read and understand.

Any additional programs or third-party items included with the downloadable file must be clearly disclosed during the installation process. Users must be given a way to opt out of all additional items during installation, or they must be given an opportunity to cancel the installation completely.

We allow certain types of advertising-supported software, including a small number of adware components we evaluate on a case-by-case basis. Ad-serving behavior must be restricted to the program's actual user interface, and may not include pop-ups or other forms of intrusive advertising.

We respect the user's right to control software that is installed on their computers, and we require that all software in our library provide users with a clear and simple method for removal. We may disallow products we feel are unnecessarily difficult to uninstall, are obscured, or are resistant to removal.

We will not list applications with reliability or stability issues, and in most cases we will only accept submissions for nonbeta versions of software. We also may decline products our editors feel do not meet the general quality standards of the library or do not offer significant value to users. Additionally, we may decline to list products that generate a significant volume of negative feedback or complaints from our users.

Our editors have determined that certain types of software are not appropriate for the Download.com software library. We will remove products or publishers who violate this policy by either directly or indirectly distributing Download.com-prohibited software.

We do not allow products that contain or promote inappropriate, offensive, or sexually explicit content. This policy may extend to content delivered by the application, links from the application interface or publisher's Web site, and content found on the publisher's Web site.

To help ensure the processing of submissions correctly and within the estimated processing time, all submitted products must adhere to the Upload.com Submission Instructions. These requirements are designed to inform publishers about the information needed to successfully submit products to our software library.

If we determine someone other than the legal copyright or trademark holder (or his or her official agent) has submitted a product, we will suspend the product listing. If you would like us to investigate an alleged breach of copyright, please follow the instructions contained in our Copyright Notice.

Submitted files are automatically uploaded to our servers. Therefore we require download links that will immediately initiate the file download. We generally do not allow links to HTML pages or information-capture forms.

In order to ensure the safety and integrity of our download library, all files submitted to Download.com must be hosted on our servers. Limited exceptions to this policy are made on a case-by-case basis, and at our sole discretion.

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.

Attempting to artificially affect download counts or user ratings is a serious violation of our listing policies, and may result in immediate and permanent removal from the library. Publishers may link to Download.com product pages, but only via an approved Download.com Button, and may not submit reviews for their own products or solicit others to do so.

We do not allow multiple, separate listings for the same product or company. We reserve the right to remove or suspend listings we feel are identical or substantially similar.

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.

We encourage you to link to your product listing on Download.com by placing a Download.com Button on your Web site. We do not allow any other type of direct link to pages on our site or to download links we host, and we reserve the right to remove products that violate this policy.

We do not allow the use of CNET or CNET Download.com logos, trademarks, and other copyrighted material without permission. You may only place an approved Download.com Button on your Web site.

We encourage all software publishers to provide quality customer service and assist users with any issues related to the software. We may choose to remove products or publishers 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.

Repeated or egregious violations of our policies, failure to pay for services rendered, or abusive behavior toward our users or our staff may result in the suspension of your account or permanent removal from our library.