How does the Android Market protect my application from distribution?

Question

So far, I have distributed only a few applications by sending .apk files. I was wondering how the Android Market prohibits users from distributing a paid application to other people.

Answer 1

Currently, DRM on the Android Market is pretty weak. On undisturbed phones, if you check copy protection when displaying the application, no one can get the apk of your application.

The problem is using root phones with the Market app. All someone needs to do is install apk on their root phone and then extract it, which can then be distributed freely (albeit illegally).

Personally, I would say so as not to worry about piracy. 98-99% of people who would pirate and use your application would not want to pay $$$ for it.