Z|NET Development

We at Z|NET Development, LLC have created one of the first push enabled RSS applications for the iPhone (RSS Viewer (Push)) and was supposed to be released last week. That is until Apple’s approval process decided to claim that favicons were an infringement of the Apple icon. As a feature to RSS Viewer we display the favicon of the root domain of the feed URL next to the relevant feed entries. This provides an easy to visualize and use interface improving usability and awareness (something we felt Apple would appreciate). However, because of the Apple favicon usage next to “Apple Hot News” feeds, Apple denied the application stating “We’ve reviewed RSS Viewer (Push) and determined that we cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because of an Apple trademark image. We want to remind you of the importance of following Apple’s posted Guidelines for Using Apple’s Trademarks and Copyrights: <http://www.apple.com/legal/trademark/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html>“. The last time we checked, all major browsers displayed favicons without issue and even some RSS readers do as well. So the question we ask is how is our application any different? What do you think? Is Apple once again in the wrong or are we just being picky?

We have, since the rejection, replied to Apple twice stating our opinions and asking for clarifications. Three full business days later we still have yet to hear back on any account…not even a friendly status update. Apple continues to operate in its blackhole without much to any helpful support. Meanwhile, our application continues to sit unreleased. Further, if favicons really can be considered trademark infringement, then how can Apple display favicons from websites saved to the iPhone home screen? Is that not an infringement? Should we all not demand royalty fees for each sold iPhone?

Send us your comments on what you think. Meanwhile here’s to hoping we get this resolved soon and our application released.