back to article AndroidScript returns to Google Play Store: Ad giant YIELDS TO THE MIGHT OF EL REG

Hurrah! It woz the Reg wot won it ... An educational app used by thousands of young science, technology, engineering and maths students is set to be reinstated by Google, just one day after we revealed that it had been yanked without warning from the company's Play Store. Dave Smart, the creator behind AndroidScript, got in …

  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I presume it was yanked because it violated Googles trademark on the name Android.

    Is this not the case?

    It's not particularly unreasonable of them since in many jurisditions you have to actively defend a trademark or risk losing it.

    Perhaps a little heavy-handed of Google, but your article might have been a little less click-baity if you'd mentioned this.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Read the first article and comments first in future please.

      This is good news he now has time to rebrand the app, rather than pull it without warning.........and the other apps with Android in the title????

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        > Read the first article and comments first in future please.

        Erm, so what is it in my comment that you disagree with exactly?

        - App used trademark without permission? Check

        - Google yanked it in a heavy-handed fashion? Check

        - App to be reinstated with a new name? Check

        App is a free download, Google can be arses sometimes, world still spinning etc etc

        1. John Tserkezis

          "App is a free download, Google can be arses sometimes, world still spinning etc etc"

          Google are always arses about it, but they needn't be.

          We've dealt with Organisational name clashes before, Send letter outlining situation, other side changes name, no downtime, no stress, no fuss, everyone happy. Well, reasonably happy at least.

          Google's shoot first ask questions later pylosophy needs to be fined tuned a bit. That said, Apple can be worse, they'll pass you first, then unceromoniously kill you off later.

    2. sqlrob

      "Actively Defend" does not mean "Kill with no notice"

      Sending a letter saying they needed to change the name, it'll be removed from the store in X time if you don't is an active defense. They deserve every bit of bad publicity they get.

    3. Warmfusion

      This isn't the Droid(tm) you're looking for

      If the problem was indeed due to the trademark on Android (tm) then hes not going to have better luck with Droid (tm) as its owned by a certain Mr Lucas;

      http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77580336&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch

      1. Dr. Mouse

        Re: This isn't the Droid(tm) you're looking for

        IIRC trademarks apply in a particular area. The Lucas trademark on Droid will be unlikely to cover this app.

        Also, as there are many apps already out there using droid, he's obviously not actively defending it in this area.

        So I reckon devs can just tell Lucas "These are not the droids you are looking for".

  2. Chris 244

    Droid®Script

    Hope he got permission from Lucasfilm first.

    1. Vector

      Re: Droid®Script

      Yeah, he's not out of the woods yet...

      In the US, every time you see an ad for one of Verizon's "Droid" phones, you'll see the Lucasfilm Droid trademark disclaimer in not so fine print at the bottom of the screen.

      1. Marcus Aurelius

        Re: Droid®Script

        Trademarks (should) have narrow scope, so Droids in the mobile phone(TM) sense would be different from Droids(TM) in the cinematic sense.

        1. Stuart 22

          Re: Droid®Script

          And it isn't Droid it is droidScript. I don't think Google get sued by Mr Lucas for putting 'An' in front. Better still to have a lowercase d to further differentiate.

          BTW how did the victory celebrations go? Anybody left standing?

          1. Vector

            Re: Droid®Script

            "I don't think Google get sued by Mr Lucas for putting 'An' in front."

            That would be because android is a different word from droid and a dictionary defined term making it generic and distinct. IIRC, Lucas "coined" the term Droid for the original Star Wars as an exotic alternative to saying robot.

            1. Dave 126 Silver badge

              Re: Droid®Script

              Curiously, 'android' refers specifically to robots that are designed to look like humans (think Blade Runner, Ash or Bishop from Alien/s, or Asimov's R. Daneel Olivaw), yet the logo that Google and ASOP use is a very roboty-looking robot, like a Soviet-era tin-metal wind-up toy.

              We prefer the term 'Artificial Human'.

              1. Vector

                Re: Droid®Script

                We..!?

              2. Captain DaFt

                Re: Droid®Script

                "'android' refers specifically to robots that are designed to look like humans "

                Lessee... http://www.cobied.com/android/android-basics/

                Two arms, two legs, an upright torso and a head with a recognisable face... close enough.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    This is not

    The interpreter you are looking for.

  4. i like crisps
    Thumb Up

    BACK OF THE NET!

    Nice one el Reg................can we have a 'Football' icon now please? creep. creep.

  5. Anonymous Coward
    Holmes

    Vulture Central

    Looking out for the little guy since ....

    ...about October, 2014.

    OK, enough of that - time to poke fun at the little guy again.

    1. psychonaut

      Re: Vulture Central

      christ you are right. we were geting all sentimental there.

      right,

      droid script is shit and the bloke who invented it is a twat!

  6. king of foo

    new names:

    I like STEMscript, sounds catchy.

    Also,

    notthefruityonetheotherpopularonenonotthatoneisaidpopularhahawhywouldwecodeforthatitscrap-script

    or titscrap-script for short; although they might attract the wrong kind of user...

    1. Camilla Smythe
      Thumb Up

      Re: new names:

      Have an up-vote for STEMscript. I would suggest great minds think alike but you might become extremely worried.

  7. Ralphe Neill
    Happy

    "Mountain View grovels before Vulture's claws"

    Hmmm ... should that not be "talons" (just to be pedantic)?

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