Seeking advice - I was asked to remove an app

vasilicaciortan · May 1, 2013

Some time ago my company built a mobile app for a client.
The app is basically representing another big company in a very important niche.

This app is published on iTunes App Store under our ownership.

I got a message today from the Manager of the company which is represented by this app
asking me to remove this app from iTunes as they have their own app now.

I am looking for an advice of what should I do now. What should I tell him?

Looking forward to hear all your advices, maybe some of you had any similar experince.

Thanks in advance.

imperial444 · May 1, 2013

I would say do what your client has asked you, this is the whole point of the business.

vasilicaciortan · May 2, 2013

I am sorry, but I am sure that I did not made myself clear in the OP.
It is not my client who asked me to remove the app, but the owner of the business which the app represents.

I will give you an example:

You ask me to build a mobile app for "Pizza Hut" but you are not the owner or any associate with the business. Now some manager from Pizza Hut contacts me asking to remove their app from iTunes AppStore since they have their own app.

Now how would you go with this?

Thanks.

virtualc08 · May 2, 2013

First of all what is stopping you from removing that app? Is it earning you any kind of revenue? If not why dont you tell the business owner that I will send traffic to your business with my app and you give me a cut for any sales. Why dont you try that?

vasilicaciortan · May 2, 2013

Thanks for your answer and for the advice. I will try this.

The thing is that we built the app for a client and it is published under our account.

Is there any legal way he can force us to remove the app?

virtualc08 · May 2, 2013

vasilicaciortan said:
Thanks for your answer and for the advice. I will try this.

The thing is that we built the app for a client and it is published under our account.

Is there any legal way he can force us to remove the app?

If he has a copyright/ trademark he has every right to ask you to remove I believe. I dont know how the law in your land works. Maybe you can check it out ..

vasilicaciortan · May 2, 2013

So, if I register the app as a trademark before him I think there will be no problem.

I must specify that this app is using the logo of his business as well.

Thanks

Techxan · May 2, 2013

vasilicaciortan said:
So, if I register the app as a trademark before him I think there will be no problem.

I must specify that this app is using the logo of his business as well.

Thanks

Remove the app, or re purpose it. If your app can be confused with his, he can sue you (in the us and our trading partners) for damages, and court costs.

carlikito · May 3, 2013

vasilicaciortan said:
So, if I register the app as a trademark before him I think there will be no problem.

I must specify that this app is using the logo of his business as well.

Thanks

So basically you are misrepresenting said company which is illegal and will get you in trouble.

Remove your app and move on.

What role does your client has on all this? Is it their app?

hellnation · May 3, 2013

wrong post, sorry.

vasilicaciortan · May 3, 2013

Yes, you are right.

And yes, this app was built for my client and they paid for it. Actually they are still paying a monthly fee for this.

Thanks.

Seeking advice - I was asked to remove an app

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