Apple has begun to send out e-mails to iOS developers who are allegedly app-name squatting. This notion of name-squatting is a practice that also widely applies to domain names. For example, if Apple is rumored to launch a product with a certain name, people will rush to get domain names relating to the supposed product name. With app names, if a developer registers a name, it cannot be used by anyone else.
It seems that this practice has created issues such as people reserving app names relating to companies who may be working on an app. This e-mail states that you cannot register a name and not have an actual application binary to go with it for more than 90 days. Today’s warning to developers informs them that they have 30 days to submit an app for the reserved name or the app name will be set free for anyone else to use.
On the other hand, there are developers who actually need to work more than 90 days to make an app. What if a developer wants to register a name in fear of someone else taking it, and they actually have an app in the works? How will Apple know that? These new rules seem like a good idea, but need to be implemented in a way that fits all developers and all situations.
Thanks, Jesse for the tip.
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