views:

116

answers:

2

If there was an iPhone app called 'gears' could I release a app for iPad called 'gears'?

Also, has anyone heard if Apple will move towards limiting unique names to a category so it would be possible e.g. 'gears' the game and 'gears' the productivity app?

App naming seems like a dark art. Any pointers to resources on Apple's stance would also be handy.

A: 

I've seen many duplicate named apps. It probably all comes down to whether your AppName™ has a Superscript℠ after it in some Way©. If no one legally owns the name, I think you could use it with impunity.

Typeoneerror
Thanks for the suggestion but I don't like the look of Superscipt.
Owen
i dont mean actually having superscript in the name. I mean copyrighting or trademarking it so if someone else tries to use it or another party is using it, you have a better legal stance. Not sure it would help. Obbiously this is not paralegaloverflow.com ;)
Typeoneerror
:) I haven't seen any exact duplicates, if you point me in the right direction for one I will click the tick of glory for you.
Owen
There are 2 apps called "PhotoFrame" by different developers in the app store. That's just one example. There's others, but they seem to be cracking down.
Typeoneerror
How are they cracking down?
Owen
+2  A: 

I have an iPad app I've completed and am having a devil of a time submitting it because it says the app name and bundle identifier are already taken (yeah, by my own iPhone app!). I can't find any information on this subject... I am not doing a universal app because I am radically taking advantage of different features available on the iPad's real estate, as far as user interface redesign. Does SOMEONE know how to help me? I'm going crazy!

The Pres
Out of interest, exactly at what stage is the name of your app being refused?
Owen