Just when you thought it was safe to submit an update to the App Store, there comes word from the developer of Instapaper, a popular, easy to use offline web page viewer for the iPhone and iPod touch, that an update to his application has been rejected because of “trademark infringement” for the use of the mini-iPhone icon pictured in the image above. On his blog, Marco writes that he submitted his update to Instapaper Pro and 9 days later he was notified that Apple would not be publishing his update unless he removed or changed the icon in question. Instead of trying to fight the issue with Apple, he says that he plans to design a different icon and then resubmit the update, hoping it gets approved.
What is your opinion about this latest App Store rejection? Do you think Apple has a valid reason for not approving this update, or do you think this is yet another example of them demonstrating the lawlessness that is the App Store approval process? Let us know in the comments!
First time I’ve seen the offending icon and I gotta say Apple seems really wacky on this one. They could be coming after you guys next–your icon/avatar looks even more iPhone-like!
Sounds about par for the course. I thought Apple products where known for they’re easy-of-use, intuitive nature. What could be easier and more intuitive than an icon that clearly identifies “Save to Ipod”? The answer: not Apple’s Intellectual Property (copy-right, trademark, registered, etc). I recommend the developer changes the icon to an old Beige-Box PC that way there would be no confusing Apple’s sleek product with an 486 IBM-Clone. Absolutely bass-ackwards.
as an owner of quite a bit of intellectual property, i understand apple’s position — technically. but geez, apple — it’s not like the image is going to appear on some other device! it’s an iphone app, for crissakes! it can’t be run on any other device!
if nothing else, apple should release to developers a few “approved” iphone buttons for use in their apps — just like the other, standard buttons (like the others pictured above).
on another note — a logical one — what’s the purpose of that icon? is it the correct icon? on an iphone, what’s the purpose of an button depicting an iphone? another topic, perhaps, but to me, that’s the bigger issue: the purpose of the button is unclear.
developer should write back to Apple and say they’ve obviously mistaken an icon of the new Palm Pre for that of an iPhone
If you take a look at the current Instapaper Pro in the App Store, have a look at the screenshots – you’ll see that they are actually of the new v1.4 version and they contain the icon in question! So yes, Apple says you can’t use the iPhone image yet they’ve allowed it in the App Store as screenshots!