Instagram takes harder line on trademarks

Instagram, the popular photo-sharing social network, may be taking action to protect its intellectual property from third-party apps.

Specifically, the service is seeking to stop apps that use a similar logo, font or parts of its title (like "Insta" or "Gram") as part of the app name.

Recently, TechCrunch reported that Instagram had sent an email to the team at Luxogram, a third-party app that can be used with an Instagram account.

"We appreciate your interest in developing products that help people share with Instagram," the letter read. "While we encourage developers to build great apps with Instagram, we cannot allow other applications to look like they might be official Instagram applications or endorsed or sponsored by us."

Instagram added: "It is important that you develop your own distinctive branding for your applications, and use Instagram's trademarks only as specifically authorized under our policies."

These actions are similar to those taken by Instagram's parent company, Facebook, last year. As CBS News reported, Facebook went so far as to try to trademark the word "Book." An article by Ars Technica added that the company already has active trademarks for the words "Face" and the letter "F." 

Instagram has not yet taken legal action against some of these third-party apps, but it would not be outside the realm of possibility. After all, this would not be the first time that companies went to court over similar sounding names. 

Businesses that find themselves in a similar situation would do well to work with a Phoenix business attorney, which has the experience to facilitate an acceptable solution.

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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