Apple â??horribly unfairâ?? in Langdell row

Indievision, the new association for independent game developers, has hit out at Apple’s silence on two high-profile trademark disputes taking place over the App Store.

Both ‘Edge’ studio Mobigame and ‘Killer Edge Racing’ developer Nalin Sharma have received no explanation from Apple as to why their games have been removed from the App Store.

Despite the reason for the removals manifestly being Tim Langdell’s bellicose approach to trademark protection, Apple’s silence is giving the studios little room to manoeuvre.

Develop has contacted Apple about the situation, as has Indievision, though the iPhone manufacturer has issued no response.

“We find it quite shocking that regardless of any proper evidence to backup his claims, or successful legal action, Langdell has managed to get these games removed from the App Store,” said Indievision co-founder Richard Hill-Whittall.

“We are concerned about Apple’s policy of removing games at the mere request of a third party – potentially destroying the livelihood of these independent game developers in the process,” he added.

“Further to this, Apple often do not even respond to the developers when asked to clarify why they have removed the games from the App Store.

“We feel this policy is wrong, and horribly unfair to these developers, and it is time for Apple to come forward and explain their position clearly.”

Indievision was set up in October, and already has 1000 members.