Apple's new iTunes Content Dispute form helps iOS developers protect their work

posted by Alan F. / Sep 01, 2012, 1:06 AM

Apple's new iTunes Content Dispute form helps iOS developers protect their work

Apple seeks to protect its app developers

Apple has been so sensitive to infringement lately that it has added a contact form for iOS developers. Those developers who believe that their Intellectual Property was infringed upon by a copycat app in the App Store can fill out the iTunes Content Dispute form (which can be accessed by clicking on the sourcelink) and receive a reference number. At the same time, their information will be provided to the developer of the app in dispute. The idea is that both parties sit down and talk things out before taking things to the next level. Afterward, the developer who filed the claim can email the App Store legal team and include the reference number if the dispute needs to be escalated.

Speaking of infringements, Apple has also changed the way that copyright infringement charges in iTunes are electronically submitted. This form covers content in iTunes that is not an app such as movies or music. Not everyone is happy with how Apple has handled its own IP battles in court, especially those who favor the Android OS and Samsung in particular. Still, we think everyone can agree that protecting developers, many of whom are not making money, is the right thing to do.

source: Apple, TheNextWeb via TUAW

The iTunes Content Dispute Form is to be used by developers who believe their IP has been infringed upon

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12 Comments

1. Savage unregistered

So I guess this will lead to only one developer producing one kind of app. For example, Evernote's developers can pull off other note apps from the app store, won't they? Angry Bird's makers will stop other slingshot driven apps from selling in the app store.

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 1:20 AM 5

9. Lucas777

Posts: 2137; Member since: Jan 06, 2011

this is not that drastic at all… it only provides basically an information stock so that developers can reach out to other developers and talk to them about what they believe is infringing…

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 2:42 PM 1

2. mas11

Posts: 1034; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

Damn Apple is so obsessed with lawsuits, they are now letting their own developers claim they are infringing upon each other.

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 1:23 AM 5

6. pikapowerize

Posts: 1869; Member since: May 03, 2012

i think its a good way.. at least you cant see same thing same apps same gameplay like on google play (no offense) because google play has a thousand of angry birds clone.. they even have lots of temple run clones.. while on app store.. its only temple run, no other alternatives! but at least you can get a verified app

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 6:36 AM 5

10. Pings

Posts: 304; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

WOW! Some people @_@... With that logic Maze War would be the 1st and only FPS. No Wolfenstein 3D, Half Life's, COD's, BF's, and many more. What a horrible idea. I do not like Apple's on stance on stifling technology.

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 3:03 PM 1

11. pikapowerize

they are just protecting their devs apps not to be copied or what ever... but i hate that apple is suing company that will somehow infringe their so called patents.... but if they will keep on suing these company, their will be no more innovations...

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 6:04 PM 0

12. Reluctant_Human

Posts: 913; Member since: Jun 28, 2012

There are tons of temple run clones on the app store..

posted on Sep 04, 2012, 10:44 AM 1

3. CharlieAtInfinity

Posts: 253; Member since: Apr 10, 2012

Its kind of stupid.. if app developers keep claiming other apps it will kill the interest of other developers to make apps for iOS

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 1:28 AM 2

4. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

How does a developer file a complaint against Apple for infringement? Without fear of being ejected from the iTunes ecosystem.

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 1:55 AM 5

5. SlimSoulja86

Posts: 660; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

WOW, Apple keeps making stupid mistakes everyday. Who the hell makes these decision or come up with these ideas? Now iOS developers can start suing each other! Apps will look similar in one way or another. And No, I'm not talking about Angry Bird copies. For example, what if Developer A(Lets call him DA) develops an App that help me with my shopping, then I realize that this App is gr8, but it's missing something, maybe let's say, the ability to save everything I bought, and calculate the difference between what I bought last month to what I bought this month, and notify me if I missed something I buy every month. Like me forgetting to buy Toilet Paper this month. And the App will send me a notification that I forgot to buy Toilet Paper this month. And I decides to develop and App that DA developed, but with added features. Does it mean DA will now sue me? Or force my App to be removed cos his App was the first one to be on the App Store? If somebody cares to help me out. Maybe I miss understood the whole article.

posted on Sep 01, 2012, 6:05 AM 2

8. Savage unregistered

You are right. Basically this will lead to fewer apps. Only the originals and the popular ones will remain. The clones which sometimes have more functionality than the original will be removed. Less choice for consumer. Haha, Apple is shooting its own foot. Hopefully Google won't do that. Chances are less because it's open source!