Designing / Developing Apps
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- mg33
There are a handful of threads about designing and building apps but didn't see my question covered.
Who is familiar with guidance / copyright / trademark stuff around designing and developing an app that's basically a somewhat different, better version of something that already exists? I don't know much about what to be careful of if someone thinks it infringes on their product, but when I think about the variety of games that mimic each other, photography apps that mimic each other, and others, I have to think it's a pretty open field for improving on something else.
Can't talk about the idea I'm working on :( but researching similar apps. Found one that is related to my idea, but doesn't function or look like what I'm thinking of, but they both have somewhat of the same purpose. Sorry I'm being so vague! Some of you can understand I'm sure.
- section_0140
I've only developed for the Apple app store so far, but their guidelines clearly stat that the app should be unique, and not be just like something that already exists.
But as everyone knows, there are tons of apps that are complete replicas of one and other. So, I don't know what Apple's (or Google's) criteria is for rejecting something that is too similar.
I know that doesn't really help, but it seems like it's probably an app reviewer's call more than anything. You can work with them though if it's rejected, I know that much.
- monNom2
Trademark covers the name or image you use to trade under. So you can't use a Nike swoosh, but you can make a shoe.
Copyright covers the expression of an idea, so you can't straight up copy something using all their graphics/code and call it your own.
Patent covers an idea, so you can't make an app that does the same thing if the other has a patent on it... but honestly, you probably can because many patents are unenforceable. They need to be proven in court.
So just make your app. Make the code/graphics yourself and don't use their trademarks. You'll be fine.