Hacker News Reader

Comment by tiernano | Hacker News Reader

unless they changed it before now, the text specifically reads that its a tutorial app, and has tips, not pretending to be a full Word client... mind you, how many people bought it not reading the text fully? how many dident look at the screen shot? And if that was a lot of people, i am releasing a Microsoft Excel and Outlook app for the iPhone/iPad later on... free money from what i can only imagine are people with too much feeking money...

View on HN

I'm willing to bet a fair number didn't read it. Given one of the reviews:

>Very Stupid App!!!!

This is just a waste of money. Don't buy this app because you cannot even write a document!!!!!!

But that's about par for the course. The dissatisfied ones are always the loudest. I do highly doubt they had permission to use the Microsoft trademark in that way though.

> I'm willing to bet a fair number didn't read it.

Why would I? I'd personally have assumed that no Apple reviewer would ever permit a developer named "Super Racing Real Games" to use the Microsoft Word logo and name for an app. They're supposed to be there to protect against this sort of stuff, so I can't blame folks for not reading too closely.

Totally... that developer sounds like a kids name. Also the logo looks a little bit crappy. Even for a noob.

Are developers able to change the name of their app after it is approved and published in the app store? Because, if so, there might be a reasonable explanation for this mistake:

1. Developer submits app named "Tips for Microsoft Word". 2. App is approved. 3. Developer changes app name to "Microsoft Word 2012". 4. Profit?

No, you cannot change the App name once the application is in the app store. On top of that, all app names must be unique.

Yes you can.

Just a few days ago, 'The EagleBook' changed its name to 'The CIA World Factbook', for example: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eaglebook-cia-world-factbook/...

I'd imagine Apple has to review and approve the change, though.

You can change the name, but to do so requires you to change the app metadata in XCode, rebuild a new binary, and upload it back to iTunes Connect like you would any other update.

That would trigger another round of reviewing, so in theory you shouldn't be able to "sneak" a name change past Apple.

Exactly, not sure why I got the down-vote above. You can't simply edit the app name and change it after the app has passed review.

Maybe because a lot of people thought you were implying App names can't be changes, period (I upvoted you btw!).

> They're supposed to be there to protect against this sort of stuff

no... They are here to protect their bottom line, their business, their interests, then, maybe, their customers... Its a business, not a charity. App seems to be missing now, so cant confirm its the Word Logo, but i dont think it was the actual Word Logo... and if you are blindly buying apps based on their name, well, I will sell you the Golden Gate Bride*

* Bridge may not actually be included...

Yes, I'm sure Microsoft won't sue you for trademark violation at all.

1) its was a rhetorical comment, and 2) Word, and Excel are trademarks, not copyrighted... same with Outlook for that matter...

2) That's why I said "trademark violation"....

Reply on news.ycombinator.com