Given the immediate point of reference for those covering the launch of Opera's Mobile Store was GetJar, it should come as no surprise that the firm considers Opera's platform a rival.

As such, GetJar has blocked Opera Mini from download on its marketplace, claiming – via Twitter – that the app breaks its terms and conditions.

App store wars

"Due to violations of our T&C's Opera Mini has been banned from GetJar," the firm said on its stream.

"[Opera] placed an app store in their browser. one thing we can’t do is promote competing app stores."

GetJar isn't, of course, the first marketplace to shut out what it considers to be a competitor.

Google recently came in for much criticism after it temporarily blocked Kongregate Arcade from sale on Android Market, the suggestion made to Kongregate CEO Jim Greer that said action was taken because Google read the app – which gave players access to 300 free Flash based games – as a bonafide marketplace in its own right.

GetJar's case is certainly stronger, given Opera Mini gives direct access to the Mobile Store – itself based on Appia's white label app store.

[source: mocoNews]