OMG! Cross promotion in "More Games" violates Lodsys' patent too!

A solution is don't sell on the US store since these are US patents

Tell Apple that You don't putt out apps at the US store

Let's face it looks like only Free apps are on fire with IAP , cross promo, surveys

 

Wow. Just wow. This is insane.

I'm curious, say I live in Europe (Norway) and put up an add with a link in it on the US market. What would happen if Lodsys came down on me and I told them to go get lost? What are the possible legal implications for non-US citizens?

 

Or auto-detect US store (is this possible?) and remove the button(s) dynamically.

 

I would make a special version just for the US Store.
Looks like IAPs are covered by Apple and i expect a solution for IAP in a few weeks. Crosspromo is not covered at all. Of course i think the patents do Not cover the Cross Promotion Links just to prevent legal battles i would delete cross links for US AppStore - I just Show the Games and Display a UiAlert with some App. Details


My apps will have IAPs and even the troll still exists I include in my apps since Apple provides the API.

Maybe I just release paid apps on the US store only since the Patent Trolls loads free Apps only - As far As i can tell

 

I'm feeling a bit left out. Great Little War Game has some in-app purchases for level packs and I've been waiting for my letter.

I wondered if it was because the app is outside the top 10 but we've been there, so maybe it's because my company is registered outside the US?

If I get one of these I'll just have to make a special build for the US store that has no IAP in it. I won't be paying lodsys a penny on principle, even if it costs me more in the long run to avoid being extorted.

 

It's only for FREE versions with Upgrades via IAP or a link to the Appstore for full version.

We got a letter simply because we had a buy "full version" button that links to the Appstore - Similar to the cross promotion button people have.

If you don't have one in your free version, your safe.

 

Epicforce said he got Lodsys'd because of cross promotion in game A for game B.. but no further details if this is limited to free or non free apps,which i doubt..

 

If this crap is not the proof that software patent shouldn't exist then I don't know what it is. I'm all for protecting people from getting technology robed but in software it just doesn't make any sense. This is so riddiculous I don't know how they could stand a chance in a court.

JC

 

Any hint how you guys handle the Situation? Since the revenue can't be measured for "Cross Promotion "

 

What I would like to have is a little paper (by Apple) describing what can be implemented and what should be avoided as of now.

Because I've read quite some lines here and there but I can't really figure out what we should avoid in our next game.
Because especially the "More Games" and In-App-Purchases is something we'd wanted to tackle on a next project.

Now it's all not that obvious what works and what not. Since I've played quite some games lately that seemed to have these features that in THIS and OTHER threads are described as patent violations.

Does a comparable link/information collection already exist that summarizes for developers what they should stay away from to be in a safe zone ?

 

Good one, that would be very handy.

That or they hire a hit man and solve all our problems!

 

At least one developer seems to have taken decisive action by withdrawing his apps from the US store. HERE

I wonder how many more will follow suit...

I also note that another patent-troll has joined the party.

 

Its about time that developers of crappy ripoff versions of good games take there junk off of itunes..


Ban the Adware and I.A.P.
Lets put In app purchases on Livestock.. :S That will be 99 cents for the first 100 eggs that chicken produces and 4.99 for lifetime production lol

 

pretty much every big corporation is a troll in that case..

look at the recent apple vs htc outcome.. pretty ridiculous if someone would ask me.. its the same silly base as any software patents (like lodsys)..

so you get a sms that carries the number of the sender and you can interact with the content of the sms and select the senders number and call him or add him to your adress book or whatever.. yeah.. and that was "invented" by apple in 1999.. yeah right.. its all bs

the hole software patent situation is a big ridicoulous mess, no matter who sues who.. and there not one troll out there but an endless amount..

i cannot comprehend how a patent system can exist that supports any broad interpretable context for a patent.. where a loose more than vague description of it is the base to go rampage with non-fact claims..

if there should be software patents they should be explicitly clear on what the invention is, how it works and be case specific and not such generalized blurbs.. its just ridicoulous..

 

Yeah, Too much grey area and loose interpretation in patent laws.....you win some you lose some..


Almost as bad as Copyright/Trademark Laws...... Dont say "droid" Ah crap I owe George Lucas 50 cents now lol

 

Anyone remmember the shareware patent for pc games... wonder if this is similar?


Some interesting things to ponder here
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1154064&page=9

 

thnx for the screenie.. could you provide the patent number of lodsys they claim you infringe? thnx..

 

I was looking into this just this afternoon. It is possible as the SKProduct has a priceLocale property and using ObjectForKey:NSLocaleCountryCode returns the country code, eg US the USA, AU for australia etc etc

Not sure whether Apple would allow it.