Apple form for app name dispute doesn’t work?

Question

Laura_Lam OP

Created Jul ’24

Replies 2

Boosts 0

Participants 2

I sent a filled in form on the Apple Developer website some weeks ago and still did not get a response.

My previous developer and I got into a dispute after which he deleted the app from the App Store (or so I though). Apparently he just archived it. I do have the EUIPO ownership to the app name he published it with so I thought I fill in the form but still no reply.

Does the Apple Form work? I really want to test my app with my name on the App Store and do not want to use a random name. Can anyone in relation to Apple or who had the same issue reply? It’s delaying the launch.

Thank you!

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Answer 1

Claude31 OP

Jul ’24

Does the Apple Form work?

Which form is it ?

Who holds the account under which the app was registered ? If it is the other person, he has ownership of the name. My further comments assume that the other owns the account.

You say you have EUIPO ownership. As EUIPO is for a transfer, does that mean the other person has signed such a transfer ?

AFAIK, Apple cannot force so to delete the app (unless they consider the app or account violated the appstore rules).

But in your case, you have a dispute. If I understand, that means that the other person has not signed the transfer agreement. If so, Apple will probably do nothing.

Note that you cannot submit the same app under a new name ; it would be rejected as spam.

So you have to terminate the dispute and have him effectively remove the app. That may require filing a suite and go to court.

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Answer 2

Laura_Lam OP

Jul ’24

This form: https://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/dispute-forms/app-store/app-name-dispute.html

He registered the app under his (the developer’s) account but I have the ownership of the name in Europe (I got this before the registering of the app).

But does that still mean he can use it even though I own the name? That would be the same as him making a website or providing services under my name, no? Otherwise what is Intellectual Property for? I would find it strange that Apple would just accept people to register apps under any name even if it’s not compliant to IP. (I hope not)

Thank you for responding already!

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