10/16/2008, 11:15am, EDT
Thursday, October 16th
iBeer developer sues over copycat iPhone app
Brewing giant Molson Coors has been targeted with a $12.5 million lawsuit related to the App Store, according to reports. Hottrix, developer of the iBeer app for the iPhone and iPod touch, has accused Molson Coors of copyright infringement through the creation of iPint, which mimics iBeer in letting users pretend to drink a glass of frothy beer. Although a complaint from Hottrix to Apple led to iPint being removed from the US App Store, it is still available in other regions.
The key issue is believed to stem from the fact that while iBeer costs $3, iPint is free, and is said to have clearly arrived after iBeer given the existence of a technology demonstration video as far back as August 2007. iPint became one of the top 10 free apps on iTunes after its debut, but following its removal, iBeer rose into the list of the top 25 paid apps.
"My client...is really a mom-and-pop company who just wants to protect their intellectual property rights," claims Jason Fisher, Hottrix's attorney. Molson Coors defends its position, arguing that it has "handled this matter appropriately," according to a statement.
The App Store has been an area of some contention, with Apple sometimes being accused of being too quick to pull or block apps in dispute. The company famously took down BoxOffice, despite intense popularity, over what are believed to have been licensing issues. The software later returned as Now Playing.
Filed under: iPhone, iPhone apps
Other story tags: lawsuits
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Copyright?
How can you copyright a mug of beer? I can understand if they used their logo, or their particular technology, but they're both just utilizing Apple's technology to do the same thing. Nothing illegal with that, and I think it's criminal that iBeer thinks they can get away with charging $3 for theirs, but that iPint can't even give theirs away without getting sued.
$3 is a good price
As long as it's a quality beer, $3.00 isn't too bad. And the fact that refills are free, it's a great deal.
Hotrix sucks
Seriously wake up looser, you can't copyright an idea. If they used your graphics or the same name then maybe. But I'm sure they didn't... and your products suck and you suck.
I've seen you and you are a pretentious ass, you have no friends and your mom must hate you too!
um
How stupid are iPhone/Touch users to download an app that just simulates drinking a beer? Then again, apparently using an app to simulate using a fictional weapon (the light-saber) is also popular.
So, I guess iPhone and Touch users have a need for simulated experiences, instead of the real kind. Can iPorn be far behind?????
Funny thing is...
The Carling version is actually better, my wife has that on her iPod touch and I have the iBeer on my iPhone, there is a little more lag in the iBeer version.
iPint rocks
Ideas cannot be copyrighted. There is no reason that Apple should get in to this business. What if all notepad developers started suing each other or MS sued Sun OpenOffice. The developer of iBeer is greedy. All he cares is the moolah he lost out to iPint since the iPint is better and free.
BTW, I do have iPint and enjoy it once in a while but then the real tap is where I like it most. :)
hmm
mom and pop huh...
suing for $12million...
for a simulated beer app...
and i agree, the carling version is much better
for free...