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Ask HN: Someone ripped off my app, is there any recourse with Apple?

9 points by wacheena ↗ HN
I built a simple Android app: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tenromans.birthdaycake.free

And I discovered today that a developer has taken the graphics and rebuilt it for iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/make-birthday-cake/id469010303?mt=8

Frankly, that's the nature of the business. Things get copied all the time. But it also kinda sticks because the graphics and whatnot are my IP.

Is there any recourse with Apple to have them remove the app from the iTunes store?

7 comments

[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 25.0 ms ] thread
tstegart
You should be able to file a copyright complaint with Apple: http://www.apple.com/legal/contact/
squidbot
This is definitely the appropriate response, and I've found Apple very reasonable in these situations if you are able to prove copyright.
kentnguyen
I have witness a similar case where one Apple dev rip off another developer by repacking and then resubmit the same app. He submit a request to Apple and then a few days later that clone app got pulled.
coryl
Quick question, do people buy your app on android?
chris_dcosta
The was a thread here on HN about another copycat app but I can't find it for now.

It was a slightly different case in that both apps were in the Apple App store, and I guess it would be easy to prove "prior art".

Your case is different in that Apple hav no record of your app being in their echo system, you would have to demonstrate prior art somehow, otherwise it could be argued that you have copied them.

If you have any documentation proving the dates on which your app was accepted into the Android market, that would help.

smashing
You could send a DMCA notice to Apple for the app, but I find it strange that you would ask people on this site on protecting your copyright when YC is so vehemently opposed to copyright monopolies like yours. I support copyrights though, so good luck. Here is the link: https://www.apple.com/legal/trademark/claimsofcopyright.html