FiftyThree, the company behind the iPad sketching app Paper, has asked Facebook to change the name of its new iPhone app, which also uses the name Paper in the App Store.
Facebook is yet to comment on the branding, although a filing in the USPTO database – spotted by TechCrunch – shows that FiftyThree has now applied to trademark the term ‘Paper’, putting further pressure on the social network.
The bid was submitted on January 30, the day that Facebook first announced Paper. The startup has already trademarked ‘Paper by FiftyThree‘, although the inclusion of its company name arguably gives Facebook some leverage for using the word ‘Paper’ on its own.
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Facebook Paper went live in the US App Store yesterday, causing FiftyThree CEO and co-founder Georg Petschnigg to publicize his discontent online. In short, he’s worried that Facebook’s new app will cause confusion amongst new and existing users and damage the brand that it’s been building since 2012.
Although Facebook is said to have apologized to FiftyThree for using the app, it hasn’t offered to change the name or take further action to rectify the problem. “An earnest apology should come with a remedy,” Petschnigg said.
When questioned about the decision, Facebook declined to comment. “An app about stories shouldn’t start with someone else’s story,” Petschnigg added. “Facebook should stop using our brand name.”
➤ USPTO Database (Via TechCrunch)
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