Cupertino puts out form, promises to put developers in contact

Sep 1, 2012 10:54 GMT  ·  By

Apple has released a web portal where developers can contact the App Store Legal Team with complaints regarding potentially infringing applications. If you’re a developer who believes someone is ripping off your app, Apple says to check it out.

Dubbed “iTunes Content Dispute” the portal’s welcome page states that “If you believe that an application available in the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can use this form to submit a claim to the App Store Legal Team.”

Parties selling other types of content in the iTunes Store (songs, albums, music videos, movies and television shows) are directed to a different form.

“Apps on the App Store are made available by third party providers,” says the Cupertino, California-based Apple Inc.

“Once you have identified the app and described the alleged infringement on the following pages, we will respond via email with a reference number and will put you in direct contact with the provider of the disputed app,” the Mac maker says.

Apple also notes that “Any further contact with the App Store Legal team should be made via email and should include the reference number in the subject line.”

By hitting “continue,” developers are taken to an online form where they can punch in the name of their company, their email address, phone number etc.

Developers using the form must consent to Apple sharing this information with the provider. The company promises to “email both parties so that you can work directly with each other to resolve the dispute.”

Developers are told that when Apple notifies the provider of the claim, they will be identified by the name of the company entered in the form. If the field was left empty, then Apple will use their real name (as provided).

“Your phone number will not be shared with the developer and will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy,” Apple says.