With no official announcement or fanfare, Apple has added a new component to the App Store that allows developers to complain if they believe their original content has popped up in a rival title.

The new tool – initially spotted by Twitter user Brad Larson – allows developers to send an alert to Apple highlighting the app in question.

Apple then connects the two developers to, in theory, enable them to revolve the dispute without the need for any legal action.

Attention Apple

Should such talks break down, Apple's own legal team can then step in to give advice or, latterly, help force a decision one way or the other via the courts.

"If you believe that an application available in the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can use this form to submit a claim to the App Store Legal Team," details Apple of the form.

"Once you have identified the app and described the alleged infringement on the following pages, we will respond via email with a reference number and will put you in direct contact with the provider of the disputed app.

"Any further contact with the App Store Legal team should be made via email and should include the reference number in the subject line."

The real test

Though a logical measure, this is the first time Apple has served up an easy way for studios big and small alike to highlight any content or copyright infringements.

Indie devs have often complained that, while the big publishers have been able to alert Apple to any apparent infringement – or, indeed, deal with it themselves – smaller outfits have a far harder time gaining the giant's attention.

The test now will be to see whether the new component is able to adequately deal with what could be a flurry of complaints – substantiated and unsubstantiated alike – or whether it ends up overwhelming Apple itself.

[source: The Next Web]