Apple claimed copyright over icons used in a theme giving an iOS look to Android phones. Themer pulled the theme last week, but the app and its 200 other theme aren't back. February 10, 2014 1:24 PM PST Some of the Android skins that Themer had released. (Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET) Google has removed Google Play access to Themer, an app to let Android users give their phones a different look, after a copyright infringement complaint from Apple about its icons. The theme in question, called Seven, gives Android phones an iOS 7 styling, and that led to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act complaint, Themer Chief Executive Ashvin Dhingra said. And though Themer removed the theme in question, the app is still missing. The app has been downloaded more than a million times and has more than 200 themes. It's been in limbo since the app was suspended on February 2, he said. Themer found out about the action on February 3, but Google hasn't said anything beyond that initial explanatory letter. Apple claimed that several icons used in Seven infringed their copyrights. We immediately removed this theme and thought that, at worst, Themer would be back on Play in a few days. But now a week later, we're facing the possibility that a few days might turn into a few weeks. We've spoken to legal representatives from Apple (who have been very nice, reasonable, and helpful), and they have no remaining concerns. But apparently, Google has a process for these things, and there's nothing we can do to accelerate that process.... We did not receive a warning. Within hours of receiving the letter from Google, we removed the Seven theme. Removing a theme does not require a change to the app as all themes are stored on our server, so as soon as we remove a theme it immediately becomes unavailable to our users. We have complied with Google's process and submitted a counter notice so Themer can be reinstated and have not heard from them. Related stories Google could swap Nexus line with Google Play by 2015 Get-rich-quick schemes might not work for app developers Powerful, pure Android phones Google Play Books gets an Android punch-up Google Play for Android expected to get new features Heads up Apple, Android to make big gains in 2014, IDC predicts CNET contacted Google for comment and will update this post with its response. Dhingra said he expects Themer will live on. "There are 12 people that spend all day, every day, working on Themer, and this situation, while frustrating and a bit disheartening, has not detracted from our resolve and mission," he said. "We're near completion of a new version that offers memory and battery optimizations, new customization options for the app drawer, and tons of bug fixes. We'll be ready to get this update out as soon as we're back on the Play store."
Apple claimed copyright over icons used in a theme giving an iOS look to Android phones. Themer pulled the theme last week, but the app and its 200 other theme aren't back.
Some of the Android skins that Themer had released.
(Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)
Google has removed Google Play access to Themer, an app to let Android users give their phones a different look, after a copyright infringement complaint from Apple about its icons.
The theme in question, called Seven, gives Android phones an iOS 7 styling, and that led to a Digital Millennium Copyright Act complaint, Themer Chief Executive Ashvin Dhingra said. And though Themer removed the theme in question, the app is still missing.
The app has been downloaded more than a million times and has more than 200 themes. It's been in limbo since the app was suspended on February 2, he said. Themer found out about the action on February 3, but Google hasn't said anything beyond that initial explanatory letter.
Apple claimed that several icons used in Seven infringed their copyrights. We immediately removed this theme and thought that, at worst, Themer would be back on Play in a few days. But now a week later, we're facing the possibility that a few days might turn into a few weeks. We've spoken to legal representatives from Apple (who have been very nice, reasonable, and helpful), and they have no remaining concerns. But apparently, Google has a process for these things, and there's nothing we can do to accelerate that process....
We did not receive a warning. Within hours of receiving the letter from Google, we removed the Seven theme. Removing a theme does not require a change to the app as all themes are stored on our server, so as soon as we remove a theme it immediately becomes unavailable to our users. We have complied with Google's process and submitted a counter notice so Themer can be reinstated and have not heard from them.
Related stories
- Google could swap Nexus line with Google Play by 2015
- Get-rich-quick schemes might not work for app developers
- Powerful, pure Android phones
- Google Play Books gets an Android punch-up
- Google Play for Android expected to get new features
- Heads up Apple, Android to make big gains in 2014, IDC predicts
CNET contacted Google for comment and will update this post with its response.
Dhingra said he expects Themer will live on.
"There are 12 people that spend all day, every day, working on Themer, and this situation, while frustrating and a bit disheartening, has not detracted from our resolve and mission," he said. "We're near completion of a new version that offers memory and battery optimizations, new customization options for the app drawer, and tons of bug fixes. We'll be ready to get this update out as soon as we're back on the Play store."
