Today, Instagram announced an app called Layout from Instagram. It’s described as “a new app that lets you easily combine multiple photos into a single image.” In 2012, I released an Apple Editors’ Choice app called Layout that lets you combine multiple photos into a single image. It was even named an App Store Best of 2012 app. Is it just me, or does it seem insincere for Instagram to release a similar app with the exact same name only differentiated by the inclusion of their company name? Do you think they’d be okay with me releasing an app called “Instagram from Juicy Bits?” Neither do I.
This happens way too often, but I don’t think there is a way to stop it.
Another reason I don’t use Instagram. Not only because it’s owned by Facebook (which is reason enough).
Your Mac Life ≠ Mac|Life. Happens all the time when weasels think they can screw others with impunity.
I’m not sure if this reveals malicious intent or just some kind of groupthink. Is it reading too much to think it shows they blew their wad and have no idea what to do next? I hate Facebook.
If you think the name is valuable and unique, get it trademarked. Then sue.
Duh.
I just downloaded the indie app off the back of this article. It’s very good.
It’s malicious intent when you’re made aware, when registering your app, that that name is already in use for an app that does the same thing.
Sure, there is an easy way to stop it. Apple could simply block apps (they excel at this anyway) that use the same or similar names to existing apps, particularly if they serve similar functions.
Watson. Sherlock.
This. This is how you stop it.
I don’t think choosing a generic app name such as “Layout” helps much. Look at it this way, imagine if Instagram had decided to call their app “Photo share” how would that have worked out for them?