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TV Time , a popularTV and movie tracking and recommendations appwith more than 30 million registered user , disappeared from Apple ’s App Store for several workweek , leading to questions about its futurity from the app ’s avid sports fan bag . look at that 2.5 million user apply the app every calendar month to track what they ’re find out and to charter in a social net where they can comment on individual episodes , vote for pet character reference , berth figure of speech and GIFs , and connect with other user , its disappearance did n’t gounnoticed .
On November 1 , the company announced viaa post on Xthat it was aware the app had been remove from the App Store and that it was “ working with Apple to get it back ASAP . ” It offer no other inside information as to what may have cause the app to be draw or how soon it could return . Users continually reply to that mail service in hopes of an update , but unfortunately for TV Time fans , several weeks passed without a resolution .
After TechCrunch achieve out to TV Time and Apple about the app ’s remotion , the app was reinstated on the App Store .
TV Time has long been go by entertainment analytics platformWhip Media Groupfollowing its acquisition in 2016 of the Gallic startup , formerly lie with as TVShow Time . Similar to other Service likeReelgoodorJustWatch , the app can take users to where a show or movie can be stream and can suggest other series you might wish , based on your viewing activeness .
During the fourth dimension of its removal , exist iOS user were still capable to get at the app on their equipment , but anyone endeavor to set up telecasting Time on a new iPhone or iPad would have been out of luck . In addition , the App Store removal meant TV Time was no longer able-bodied to issue update to its app to its current user stand .
TechCrunch reach out out to the company to find out why the app was pull .
agree to Whip Media Chief Marketing Officer Jerry Inman , the conflict with Apple had to do with the mishandling of a routine intellectual property ( IP ) complaint . tv set Time user had uploaded some goggle box and film encompass art to the app , lead a fellowship to exact right of first publication over the app and issue a takedown notice via the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ( DMCA ) . While video Time complies with the DMCA , it ask the plaintiff to allow proof of ownership — like a right of first publication registration — which it was ineffectual to do . Despite the lack of evidence , telly Time enounce it still removed the images from both the telly Time platform and its metadata platform , TheTVDB .
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However , the plaintiff also demanded a fiscal settlement not logical with the DMCA , so Whip Media did not fit to pay , Inman claims .
“ Despite Whip Media having follow with the DMCA and explain that to Apple , the plaintiff give notice Apple that its title was ‘ open , ’ and Apple decided to withdraw video Time from the App Store , ” he says . The party has since settle the matter with the complainant . As of the fourth dimension of piece of writing , the TV Time app was in the process of returning to the App Store .
However , Inman monish this is another case where Apple had too much tycoon over the companies doing business sector on its App Store weapons platform .
“ Apple holds meaning mogul over app developers by controlling access to a monolithic market and , in this case , seems to have acted on a ailment without call for full-bodied evidence from the complainant , ” Inman share with TechCrunch .
Apple did not volunteer a comment on the matter , but pointed to itsApp Store Content Dispute websitewhich explain how the mental process of right of first publication or stylemark claims would work . The website allows a complainant to submit a title which then connect them with the app developer in query so the two parties can form together on work out the issue . Apple would not immediately abuse in to off the app upon receiving the complaint , but it would if the two parties did n’t add up to a resolution through this process . ( Whether Whip Media ’s telling of this story is right , the parties did eventually come to an agreement of some kind as the app is now back . )
While TV Time was miss from the App Store , fans could apply the app on Android and the World Wide Web atapp.tvtime.com . harmonise to data from app intelligence firmAppfigures , goggle box Time has view 7.4 million installs on iOS to appointment since Appfigures ’ tracking system began , on January 1 , 2017 . ( The app itself first launch in 2012 . )
November 20 , 2024 : Updated after publication with more information about the App Store Content Dispute process .
