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Apple to developers: remove 'memory' from app titles

updated 11:40 pm EST, Wed November 14, 2012

 

German game developer Ravensburger owns the title in 42 countries


A report on gaming news site Gamasutra claims that Apple is warning developers of iOS games that German game maker Ravensburger owns the trademark for the word "memory" in association with a game title in 42 countries, and unless they change the app name, it will be removed from the App Store. The company does not own the title in the United States, but it seems that the ban is universal, and will be enforced before the end of the year worldwide, according to sources MacNN spoke to familiar with the matter.

Developer of Preschool Memory Match Darren Murtha told Gamasutra that he was too busy to change the name and chose to remove the app from the stores in all 42 countries. Murtha stated that "we plan on changing the name in those countries and uploading a new version early next year."

Ravensburger claims that it owns the trademark to the word "memory" in Armenia, Austria, Bosnia Herzegovina, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Equador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela.


By Electronista Staff

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industry, gaming, iPhone apps, App Store, iPad apps, iOS

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Comments

  1. wrenchy

    Forum Regular

    Joined: 11-03-09

    11-14-12 06:50 pm

    Originally Posted by NewsPosterView Post

    German game maker Ravensburger owns the trademark for the word "memory" in association with a game title



    Lol! Almost as bad as 'Monster'.

  1. coffeetime

    Junior Member

    Joined: 11-15-06

    11-14-12 08:27 pm

    Unreal!!! How about trademark every freaking words in dictionary and let's sue one another.

  1. blahblahbber

    Banned

    Joined: 02-01-05

    11-14-12 09:57 pm

    Originally Posted by coffeetimeView Post

    Unreal!!! How about trademark every freaking words in dictionary and let's sue one another.

    Excuse me, I own "Unreal"... both in the antarctic and arctic, with increasing countries on the horizon.... My fellow penguins are always suited to take you down in formal proceedings.

    How do you want to settle this legal matter??

  1. chas_m

    MacNN Staff

    Joined: 08-04-01

    11-14-12 10:02 pm

    I have the trademark on the word "the" in association with titles, and everyone in the world owes me a zillion dollars. Each.

    But seriously, this trademark thing (like the copyright thing and IP thing) has gotten out of hand and needs sensible reform.

  1. Waragainstsleep

    Addicted to MacNN

    Joined: 03-20-04

    11-15-12 12:22 am

    IP will fall apart once 3D printers get good. Imagine being able to torrent your iPhone 12 instead of having to line up outside the Apple store all night.

  1. coffeetime

    Junior Member

    Joined: 11-15-06

    11-15-12 02:51 am

    Breaking news from German government: Anyone persists in using the word "memory" in the App Store will be offered a complimentary train ride to their Paradise Island.

  1. coffeetime

    Junior Member

    Joined: 11-15-06

    11-15-12 02:53 am

    Originally Posted by WaragainstsleepView Post

    IP will fall apart once 3D printers get good. Imagine being able to torrent your iPhone 12 instead of having to line up outside the Apple store all night.



    Yes, it's possible in a parallel Universe.

  1. mojkarma

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: 10-13-11

    11-15-12 04:16 am

    I don't see a problem here. A company owns the copyright on the name in conjunction with a game. Memory is indeed here in Europe a known name. Like monopoly. I guess the word "windows" is equally protected as a name for operating systems. So, I don't see the slightest problem here nor a reason to complain about.

  1. Spheric Harlot

    Clinically Insane

    Joined: 11-07-99

    11-15-12 05:15 am

    Originally Posted by coffeetimeView Post

    Breaking news from German government: Anyone persists in using the word "memory" in the App Store will be offered a complimentary train ride to their Paradise Island.



    I'm not sure what that read before you edited it, but I'd like to see you try and sell a game called "Monopoly" on the US App Store. Or "Uno".

  1. coffeetime

    Junior Member

    Joined: 11-15-06

    11-15-12 05:58 am

    Originally Posted by Spheric HarlotView Post


    I'm not sure what that read before you edited it, but I'd like to see you try and sell a game called "Monopoly" on the US App Store. Or "Uno".



    Good point.

  1. The Vicar

    Junior Member

    Joined: 07-01-09

    11-15-12 11:58 am

    Originally Posted by WaragainstsleepView Post

    IP will fall apart once 3D printers get good. Imagine being able to torrent your iPhone 12 instead of having to line up outside the Apple store all night.



    Yeah, sure, because fused little plastic pellets are totally just as good materials to build a case out of as cast aluminum and glass. No difference whatsoever. Really, trust me!

  1. fairdeveloper

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: 12-03-12

    12-03-12 09:18 am



    I Just got a confirmation letter from the EU trademark office how this nonsense trademark has been CANCELLED and apple does not care to look and just ask developers to remove the apps.

    http://oami.europa.eu/CTMOnline/RequestManager/en_SearchBasic

    Trademark number 001203629

  1. blahblahbber

    Banned

    Joined: 02-01-05

    12-29-12 03:52 pm

    Originally Posted by The VicarView Post


    Yeah, sure, because fused little plastic pellets are totally just as good materials to build a case out of as cast aluminum and glass. No difference whatsoever. Really, trust me!

    What do you think liquid metal technologies is all about?? Time to update your intellect!

  1. Spheric Harlot

    Clinically Insane

    Joined: 11-07-99

    12-30-12 03:15 am

    Originally Posted by fairdeveloperView Post



    I Just got a confirmation letter from the EU trademark office how this nonsense trademark has been CANCELLED and apple does not care to look and just ask developers to remove the apps.

    http://oami.europa.eu/CTMOnline/RequestManager/en_SearchBasic

    Trademark number 001203629



    Final decision was on 30/11/2012 – not long ago.

    But underneath it says


    Expiry Date: 11/06/2019
    Status of renewal: Renewed
    Type of renewal: Total

    So is it valid until 2019, or has it been invalidated?

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