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Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

news.ycombinator.com

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Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#1

Post by tinebak »

After having my app in the App Store for years, Apple took it down because of a couple of false complaints. Apple hasn't said that the app breaks any rules, just that all complaints must be resolved "to the satisfaction of the complainant."

It's insane that Apple gives this kind of power to a few people. I don't think Apple has even really read the complaints or looked into the app at all.

I have written an open letter to Tim Cook www.copymethat.com/open-letter-tim-cook/ that explains everything as well as a tweet twitter.com/copymethat/status/1295418273065046016/.

I'd love the support of app developers who think this is not OK behavior from Apple. Please reply to the tweet.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#2

Post by caddie »

yep, i had a game that used the word "flow" in it. Some nefarious company trademarked the word "flow" for video games and started sending take down notices to all games that had the word "flow" in it. I just removed the app cause it's not worth the fight, but boy, there is no justice in the app stores, they apply the law of the jungle, the strongest wins and when it's getting out of control the "silverback Apple God Ape" comes to have his last word.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#3

Post by uberman »

Summary of issue:

App in question partially designed to scrape recipes from the web.

App dev believes that their app does not violate DCMA and that other apps allow saving of web content locally.

Two sites feel that this violates their copyrights and have complained to Apple (not sure if DCMA is part of the complaint or not).

Apple has removed app until complaints are resolved. Complainants demand money to remove their complaint (one wants $10k).

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#4

Post by mikece »

Is suing Ms. Selkowitz and Ms. Merritt an option? Sounds like they have formed a conspiracy to inhibit interstate commerce to me (then again, IANAL...).

Apple definitely leans more to covering their own backsides from liability than defending app developer whenever someone claims a copyright issue, even if it's not a valid assertion.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#5

Post by tinebak »

mikece wrote: post #4

Is suing Ms. Selkowitz and Ms. Merritt an option? Sounds like they have formed a conspiracy to inhibit interstate commerce to me (then again, IANAL...). Apple definitely leans more to covering their own backsides from liability than defending app developer whenever someone claims a copyright issue, even if it's not a valid assertion.

I have sued Jill Selkowitch. My lawyer says that it will cost $40K, at least, and take more than 6 months before it gets before a judge. Jill Selkowitch has now filed to get the case dismissed trying to argue (for real) that there is no conflict for a judge to rule on. So now I have to pay to respond to that. I also can't keep suing anyone who files a complaint. Apple allowing this is the real problem.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#6

Post by tinebak »

uberman wrote: post #3

Summary of issue: App in question partially designed to scrape recipes from the web. App dev believes that their app does not violate DCMA and that other apps allow saving of web content locally. Two sites feel that this violates their copyrights and have complained to Apple (not sure if DCMA is part of the complaint or not). Apple has removed app until complaints are resolved. Complainants demand money to remove the…

I also think it's worth noting that the content that they're complaining about is saved to private accounts. DropBox (Google Drive, etc., etc.) isn't responsible for stuff you save to your private accounts. Also, Apple hasn't said that the app violates any rules or laws. They just want the complaints resolved, whatever they may be.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#7

Post by swiley »

uberman wrote: post #3

Summary of issue: App in question partially designed to scrape recipes from the web. App dev believes that their app does not violate DCMA and that other apps allow saving of web content locally. Two sites feel that this violates their copyrights and have complained to Apple (not sure if DCMA is part of the complaint or not). Apple has removed app until complaints are resolved. Complainants demand money to remove the…

Glad to hear apple is protecting the iPhone users from malware like this.

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#8

Post by tommymachine »

uberman wrote: post #3

Summary of issue: App in question partially designed to scrape recipes from the web. App dev believes that their app does not violate DCMA and that other apps allow saving of web content locally. Two sites feel that this violates their copyrights and have complained to Apple (not sure if DCMA is part of the complaint or not). Apple has removed app until complaints are resolved. Complainants demand money to remove the…

Isn’t it DMCA for “Digital Millenium Copyright Act” (not DCMA)?

Re: Apple allows bullies to shut down my app

#10

Post by retox »

uberman wrote: post #3

Summary of issue: App in question partially designed to scrape recipes from the web. App dev believes that their app does not violate DCMA and that other apps allow saving of web content locally. Two sites feel that this violates their copyrights and have complained to Apple (not sure if DCMA is part of the complaint or not). Apple has removed app until complaints are resolved. Complainants demand money to remove the…

>partially designed to scrape recipes from the web

How is this different from the issue that was discussed recently where Google were scraping CelebrityNetWorth data?

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