Damn it!
Damn it!!! I was just preparing the release of my current template, but just a few hours after I (for testing) published as BETA, it was suspended/removed by Google.
I have no idea what they are complaining about specifically about my “Violation of the intellectual property and impersonation or deceptive behavior”.
Your app and/or elements of its listing on Google Play, including title, description, logo(s), or promotional screenshots must not include unauthorized usage of protected works belonging to a third party.
I mentioned Zooper Widgets and Lightning Launcher eXtreme. Because it’s needed! How, gerd reuter , do you get away with that? Your descriptions mention the names (brands?) even repetitive.
Your app icon and promotional screenshots must not contain images that appear confusingly similar to existing products.
The screens showed only a tiny cover of a FREE album from Play Store. Maybe it’s the contact’s faces? Most plausible reason I can think of. Maybe I shouldn’t have used popular faces from G+ like Sebastian Spindler , Arturo MB or Alex T. … think I’ll change that and see what happens next.
What do you guys think?
D5 Creation
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This was the description:
“Companion” is a template for Lightning Launcher eXtreme
Included are skins for Zooper Widget PRO
* Please read the full description for important information!! *
To get you started, here’s a full feature guide video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx09hCIZ-ic
“Companion” is your daily companion:
* FAB
– REALLY floats
– Visualizes missing calls, SMS and GMail
– Swipe gestures for quickly launching the apps
* Scenes
– For many occasions: home, work, morning, night, travel, …
– Store your layout
– Scene specific sidebar folder
– Set specific colors per scene
* Widgets
– Add, move, remove predefined or custom widgets
– Store layout in scene
* SideBars
– Left: favorite and scene-spscific apps
– Right: widgets, scenes, settings
* Phone Panel
– Communication apps
– Your favorits contacts
* Scene Scheduler
– Switch scenes automatically
– Define a schedule for scenes
The location marker on the WorldMap widget is automatically positioned to your current location.
The map is font-based, so you can choose between 15 different maps styles (outline, solid, rastered) by simply choosing a letter “c” to “p” in widgets setting (the layers are marked accordingly).
Also included:
– some wallpapers with Wallpaper Chooser and (optional) adjustable blur
– Icon Pack for compatible launchers (do NOT apply!! icons must be chosen manually!)
IMPORTANT:
Zooper Widgets Pro is required to be able to use the ZW skins!
Lightning Launcher is not required to use ONLY the ZW skins, they can be used with any launcher,
To use the Music Player Widget “Media Utilities” is required.
################################################################################
There might be problems with fonts not working when installed from Play.
If fonts and weather icons are missing, run “Companion (Pro) – Fix Assets” from your app drawer.
This will copy the missing items to the ZooperWidget folder. This workaround should fix the issue.
################################################################################
The ZW skins are fully compatible with ZW Color Styler to easily change their colors.
ZW Color Styler at Google Play Store (FREE):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.echtzeitig.zwcolorstyler
NOTE:
Though I did my best, I cannot guarantee the template and skins work out-of-the-box.
If widgets are not scaled properly, generally you only have to open their settings in Zooper Widgets. If that’s not enough, just reapply the skin.
I’m willing to assist by mail or HangOut, but please be prepared to show some self-initiative and learn how to use LL and ZW.
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That’s the thing isn’t it, you have no idea what they’re complaining about “specifically”. Bloody Google, why don’t they just say you need to change this and that.
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Here is my guess. You using the term “daily companion” (click show more).
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=daily%20companion
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Sterling Phry I can’t see it’s about using a term, if that was the case why would you have three apps called timesheet on the playstore.
Also, if you think about it you’d only have one with companion in the title. Any app could be a daily companion of what ever subject its a companion of.
This is why they should say, people shouldn’t need to guess what’s wrong. But your guess might be right, i don’t have a clue 🙂
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Thanks all. That “impersonation” accuse could possibly be caused by the contacts’ faces — especially oh so visible in hires in the icon. Also now I see I used third party widgets in some screenshots. And there are many third party app icons. But possibly it’s the widgets (TV guide i.e.). And I think next time I keep the description short, use less app naming and better reference a description page or posting here. The name I guess should not be a problem.
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Still that’s jus flat out ridiculous lol many other apps do these things and there’s no problem
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That’s an awesome work! Are we going to have the sources?
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As I was looking at the pictures I wondered if it might be the Gru icon. You know all the movie studios are tight fisted with their properties.
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Benoît de Chezelles I’m reworking the screenshots and will re-publish soon. But I’m afraid it won’t be earliest on monday. Both kids threw up tonight. What a “sick” day…
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Such a great screen Lutz Linke . Sad to see Google’s behaviour on this. I too think its related to contact pics.
I dont wanna face the same situation. Can anybody throw some insight on this?
https://plus.google.com/109943862311031584908/posts/YxjJxcZDqBS
is it fine to use these?
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That is a really nice theme. Hope you get it working because I want it 🙂
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Lutz Linke this kind of suspension is usually the result of an automated check. I would suggest to wait a bit before republish it, and send an email to Google first. Hopefully a human brain will process your request and either cancel the suspension or explain what’s wrong so you can update the listing. I personally think that nothing is wrong here, checks are more and more restrictive, and as all automated checks they are somewhat “stupid”. You should better wait until you know exactly what’s wrong before to publish your work again, otherwise your whole account may be suspended.
Frightening, isn’t it ?
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Pierre Hébert Thanks. Sounds reasonable. Might have triggered the check myself since I uploaded the APK in 3 or 4 versions in under 24h. Too much of a rush maybe.
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Well… I send an appeal to Google, took them only a few hours to respond. Sadly not as I hoped. No cancellation, no reasons.
That’s great… I did not even really start developing, only published some themes and yet find myself in the thread of my account being suspended if they again find anything suspicious 🙁
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Hi,
We have reviewed your appeal and will not be reinstating your app. This decision is final and we will not be responding to any additional emails regarding this removal.
If your account is still in good standing and the nature of your app allows for republishing you may consider releasing a new, policy compliant version of your app to Google Play under a new package name. We are unable to comment further on the specific policy basis for this removal or provide guidance on bringing future versions of your app into policy compliance. Instead, please reference the REASON FOR REMOVAL in the initial notification email from Google Play.
Please note that additional violations may result in a suspension of your Google Play Developer account.
Regards,
The Google Play Team
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throw a picture of me in there as a contact . they dont have to know im not even in your phonebook. in fact theres 2 pictures i can send you.
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That’s incredible!
(and terribly sad)
In the “REASON FOR REMOVAL”, is it explicitly stated whether the reason is the icon, or the title, listing or the screenshot ? I have looked at screenshots again and again and I don’t really see what the problem could be.
I don’t even know how Google can know that use is “unauthorized”, lol! How could they know if for instance Zooper’s dev or I allow you to use the name or icons of ZW and LLX ??? The only unauthorized content I can see is the Google icons themselves (maps, chrome, etc.), but no need to say that these icons can easily be found elsewhere, in particular in other launchers screenshots…
The most stupid thing is that even if the store listing doesn’t infringe any copyrighted material, the app will still stay the same (not tested by Google), and this is what really matters in the end.
Well I believe the only thing to do is to republish the app with a new package name, with the minimum description and only two “basic” screenshots, then maybe add more in the future.
One thing is sure: don’t let this great work be lost.
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Pierre Hébert Reasons in the mail are the ones I wrote in my post.
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REASON FOR REMOVAL:
Your app and/or elements of its listing on Google Play, including title, description, logo(s), or promotional screenshots must not include unauthorized usage of protected works belonging to a third party.
Your app icon and promotional screenshots must not contain images that appear confusingly similar to existing products.
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So, yeah, it must have been the icons in the screenshots. I took a look at gerd reuter ‘s listings, and his screen only have generic icons. Description is not much different. This explains “intellectual property”, but not “impersonation”. Possibly they don’t differ, use these terms always in combination.
I’m preparing new screens, videos, apk and text, hope I will republish today.
Pierre Hébert, regarding the memory leak issue. Would it be possible to get an early test version of LL to confirm it’s fixed?
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Yes, I will send you an APK by email today (I am polishing the new status bars handling and then I will make a snapshot, you will be the first to be able to select status and nav bars colors 😉 ).
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Lutz Linke anytime soon you will relase this theme
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Kaushal Doshi Yes, I will. Vacation holiday with the family, so had no time to fire up my PC. But new screens are prepared for days already, template is ready, ZWs got final fixes, everything is ready. Just a lack of time. Am working on this since April I think, never was satisfied completely or didn’t have time. It’s a shame…
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