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**MuppetMaster42** · 04-30-2014, 04:17 PM

did you properly credit valve's ownership of all the images and names you've used?

**Voshond** · 05-01-2014, 04:58 AM

No, I forgot to do that. I would have added it if they gave me some kind of warning.
Do you think that would have mattered though? I'm sure Google didn't even look at the store page before removing it.

**MuppetMaster42** · 05-01-2014, 05:06 PM

the problem would be that they looked at your application and noticed that you used images that were not your own without attributing the original creator.

if you add in that ownership information you'll probably get it back into the store.

even something as simple as "Dota 2 is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation." would probably do it.
(that's all dotabuff has on its site at least)

**Voshond** · 05-02-2014, 01:12 AM

I've heard that it might have been because my app icon looks a lot like the Dota 2 logo, but that doesn't explain why other apps with the Dota 2 logo are still available.
I can upload a fixed version of the app, but I don't even know what to fix. Was it the name? The images? The logo?
There's an option to appeal this removal, but it requires some form of proof that I can use copyrighted material. How am I ever going to obtain that.

**Voshond** · 05-02-2014, 03:51 AM

Been doing some more searching and I've already found 20+ other Dota apps that have been removed from the store. They all have different functions, icons and descriptions. I haven't found a common cause that could have caused these removals. For example Dota 2 Counters doesn't use the Dota 2 logo as its icon. Dota 2 Builder has a disclaimer in the description that states all rights belong to Valve Corporation. Both of them were removed from the Play store.

Full list of apps I've found so far, but I'm sure there's a lot more.

**MuppetMaster42** · 05-02-2014, 11:44 PM

did you have ads in your app?

that may be a common theme.
I doubt valve would take too kindly to you monetizing their work without consulting them and with only a small mention of their brand.

**Voshond** · 05-03-2014, 12:08 AM

No. Free app, no ads.

**CvP** · 05-03-2014, 12:14 AM

Google hardly monitors their store. Most of the things are automated (and that's why you get a scam app as number one paid app). Most likely someone reported your app for IP violation and their scan found dota 2 is owned by valve; not you.

**Dzamto** · 05-04-2014, 02:41 PM

I think most of us had the same reason for removal of the application, I had the following reason for removal of the application:

REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the intellectual property and impersonation or deceptive behavior provisions of the Content Policy.

In my application I have stated that all images and information is used from the official site of Dota2 and I have added the link of the website.
Since there are removed several Dota 2 applications I think Valve has complained to Google for this applications.

**MuppetMaster42** · 05-04-2014, 04:27 PM

well according to the developer content policy:

Impersonation or Deceptive Behavior: Don't pretend to be someone else, and don't represent that your app is authorized by or produced by another company or organization if that is not the case. Products or the ads they contain also must not mimic functionality or warnings from the operating system or other apps. Products must not contain false or misleading information in any content, title, icon, description, or screenshots. Developers must not divert users or provide links to any other site that mimics or passes itself off as another app or service. Apps must not have names or icons that appear confusingly similar to existing products, or to apps supplied with the device (such as Camera, Gallery or Messaging).

So I would say that the automated system has noticed that all the dota 2 apps on the store use the same images, and hence thought they were impersonating one another..

Originally posted by Dzamto View Post

Since there are removed several Dota 2 applications I think Valve has complained to Google for this applications.

I highly doubt that valve would put in removal requests for DotA2 applications; considering that the entire point of the API is for people to make applications of various forms.

**Craig** · 05-06-2014, 12:46 PM

It seems that either Valve has issued takedown notices to Google, regarding a number of applications on the Play Store, which use the Web API, or someone has issued these takedown notices without authorisation from Valve.

If it was Valve who issued these takedown notices, then I think Valve should offer guidelines and permissions in order to establish legitimate use of the Web API.

Alternatively, if it is not Valve who issued these notices, then a statement to that effect, would allow the developers of these apps to pursue counter notices in order to get their apps reinstated by Google.

Could a Valve developer arrange for someone to respond to this thread in order that the hard work of these community developers is acknowledged and so that they can decide how best to proceeed?

**CvP** · 05-06-2014, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Craig View Post

It seems that either Valve has issued takedown notices to Google, regarding a number of applications on the Play Store, which use the Web API, or someone has issued these takedown notices without authorisation from Valve.

If it was Valve who issued these takedown notices, then I think Valve should offer guidelines and permissions in order to establish legitimate use of the Web API.

Alternatively, if it is not Valve who issued these notices, then a statement to that effect, would allow the developers of these apps to pursue counter notices in order to get their apps reinstated by Google.

Could a Valve developer arrange for someone to respond to this thread in order that the hard work of these community developers is acknowledged and so that they can decide how best to proceeed?

I really doubt valve would do it.

**Craig** · 05-06-2014, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by CvP View Post

I really doubt valve would do it.

I agree completely.

In which case, it would seem to be someone acting without authorisation, which is an act of perjury. A very serious offence.

Without confirmation of this from Valve, the developers can't realistically pursue this, because to get the details of who filed the notice, would require them to file a counter notice, which, in the eventuality that it was Valve or someone authorised to act on their behalf, would leave the developer themselves open to legal action.

If Valve could offer some assurances to the developers then they could pursue this with some confidence that there is no futher risk to themselves. Perhaps Valve could even offer some legal support.

**CvP** · 05-07-2014, 05:51 AM

The problem is with Google. They don't give proper details of the said violation. In other words, they don't want you. So move to another platform. Go build apps for iOS or WP. WP would be a great choice now as you can build one app and have it on both (phone and desktop/tablet) stores.

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