Sorry to hear that !
C [import]uid: 24 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10134[/import]
I agree that you’ll come of best by renaming your game (ey, what about “Doodle SMASH” or -just to shit the nice guys from Playfirst, inc- “Doodle CASH”? 
)
[import]uid: 9644 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10128[/import]
I understand you didn’t want the conflict, but it’s a shame you yanked it so quick, as it’ll probably be hard to re-submit if you change your mind and at least push for some compensation. Excellent advice in comments 17, 18, 22, but probably too late to act on. Can you maybe put it straight back with a slight change to, say, Doodle Dasher? You don’t want to lose hard-earned momentum. [import]uid: 3953 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10174[/import]
I’ll tell you what, these guys are prepared to PAY to get you to change your game’s name.
- They paid a lot of money just to get the trademarks to begin with.
- They paid someone to send out all of these letters.
- They are more than likely willing to pay significant fees to lawyers to take you to court in order to force you to change your name.
That said, why roll over without putting your hand out? You are affected way more than they are by this change monetarily. You had no intent to trade on “their” name. You will lose sales due to loss of name recognition. You should point out that since no court has ruled on the issue, changing anything would be a business agreement and they should pay you for your time/aggravation. What is your wasted time and lost sales worth to you? Throw out a number and see if they bite, but I wouldn’t do anything until they answer. [import]uid: 10248 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10136[/import]
You should have told them to pound sand. A trademark protects a brand, not a word. I don’t think you infringed upon anything they can make a legal claim to. It would be like Paramount suing Lucas for using the word “Star” in Star Wars claiming it infringes on their Star Trek franchise. Companies that step on indies are lame. Sorry you had to go through this. [import]uid: 9977 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10442[/import]
Monster Dash
http://forums.toucharcade.com/showthread.php?threadid=64417
newly released on the App Store
Given the amount of games with dash in, be sure this isnt a ploy by them to get the app name Doodle Dash from you. [import]uid: 5354 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10479[/import]
What if you sold Doodle Dash to them? [import]uid: 10355 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10493[/import]
Change “Dash” to “Dasher”; problem solved. And you may as well trademark “Dasher” while your at it 
[import]uid: 7587 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10515[/import]
Paris Hilton has trademarked a catch phrase as Donald Trump has from his TV Show, the Apprentice.
Paris Hilton alternate slogan reads: “I have absolutely no talent or personality yet I’m world famous, have a hit television series, a best-selling book, and my own record label, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no God.”
It is a crazy world… maybe someone might patent some alphabets from the 26 in English, so we might have to communicate in a very funny manner here on.
I guess it has gone too far and the patent offices should have a bit more sense on what to accept and what not.
Ideas are no longer what are patented, I find Paris Hiltons’ quote in the second para quite appropriate.
cheers,
Jayant C Varma [import]uid: 3826 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10657[/import]
That sort of pisses me off too, even though I have nothing to do with it I can completely feel what that must be like. I feel like they are picking and are just jealous. I retweeted your post and you can guarantee I will never buy anything with their name on it.
I guess if I publish something I should be more mindful of what’s out there with names already. I hope Apple maybe sides with you since it’s either store and already hundreds of I guess supposed trademarked words are already being used in titles. Heck, before I joined Corona I made a soundboard called Pulp Fiction Sounds – pretty obvious copyright there but I don’t pose any threat to the companies but if I did of course they’d get angry.
I think what Playfirst did was wrong in my opinion. It’s not like you made it iDash or something obviously got Apple written all over it almost, but a company but the word “dash”… I mean… come on…
I hope it works out in the end. My mother loves your game by the way – one day she said she was up until like 1am playing Doodle Dash and I just laughed and thought wow that’s really pretty cool. [import]uid: 9973 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10939[/import]
The sweetest revenge would be to open it up and let everyone download it for free, hit the top charts, then take it off when Apple features it in the Top or on the iTunes store and tell then sorry, I cannot put it up coz the word DASH is copyrighted. So, Boulderdash that was created before they patented it is also illegal, is it?
cheers,
Jayant C Varma [import]uid: 3826 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10941[/import]
Thanks for the support everyone! I’ll create another thread about it when it’s time, but here’s an update:
-
We’re over this issue. Not angry anymore, just moving on. In fact, we almost feel like it’s a blessing in disguise, because this whole thing inspired us to work on a HUGE update and it’s going to be pretty exciting.
-
We’ve thought of a new name, one that’s not already in the app store (obviously), and also one where no current registered trademarks for games/software exist.
-
Lots of new features coming to the next version that will make the game more fun, more STABLE, and add to the overall replay value of the game. Also, at least one new theme will be present.
-
Will be optimized for the retina display (the last version was not, and quite frankly, looks blurry on iPhone/iPod touch 4).
-
We’ll be able to issue the name change via an update, so those who have already downloaded the game will be able to easily update without having to re-download/re-purchase
I’ll be sure to announce the new name once we submit the update and are in the “Waiting for Review” stage.
Thanks again for all your support and comments! Once again, to avoid all this happening to you, read my blog post on the subject:
http://jonbeebe.tumblr.com/post/1477304778/avoiding-trademark-issues-in-the-app-store [import]uid: 7849 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 10943[/import]
New name: Tilt Monster
More info and video preview here: http://developer.anscamobile.com/forum/2010/11/15/tilt-monster-formerly-known-doodle-dash
Also note that there are still some changes since that video was created, everything’s turning out great so far. [import]uid: 7849 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 11190[/import]
Here’s the latest update (gameplay video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWu04VuOaJs
Progress is going great so far, and everything is turning out to be WAY WAY better than the game was before.
Note that the video is kinda choppy, but gameplay isn’t like that, it’s actually very smooth. The video is choppy because I had to record directly from the device and it caused framerate to drop.
Let me know what you think! [import]uid: 7849 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 11459[/import]
Well, Tilt Monster has been completed and submitted, hopefully it won’t take long for them to approve it. It’s going to be an UPDATE to Doodle Dash! so if you have Doodle Dash! installed, it’ll show up as an available update in the App Store when it is approved.
There are A LOT of changes/improvements, as well as the whole game being updated for the retina display. More on that in a moment, but first, here are some screenshots:
Here’s what’s new:
The game has been renamed to “Tilt Monster” and has been redesigned from the ground up.
Tilt Monster is WAY more addicting than it’s predecessor and features many new additions and improvements:
* Graphics updated for the retina display, as well as a completely new interface and menu system!
* 3 Leaderboards: Highest Scores, Highest Gem Combos, and Most Lifetime Gems
* Two MORE playable characters in addition to those previously available.
* Two more sensitivity options, as well as sound/music options.
* Performs better on older devices than previous versions.
* Unlockable items (which are unlocked at specific score thresholds, and will help you achieve even higher scores!). The unlockable items include: Destroy All Enemies, Destroy on Contact, Invincibility, and Extra Life (replenishes a lost heart).
* The completely redesigned interface that makes it EVEN EASIER to pick up, play, and RE-play a round.
* Performance has improved tremendously due to a complete redesign of the game engine.
* Gameplay and scoring is much more interesting. Checkpoints will give you a nice score boost but will cause the game speed to increase slightly. Gem combos are worth A LOT more than just grabbing the gems individually, and stars give you a score boost depending on how long you’ve lasted in each round.
* Enemies are a lot more interesting! For instance, bunnies will move towards you now, big fat cyclops will steal points (as well as a heart), bombs take both of your hearts.
* And much more! (we can’t wait to see what you’ve got to say about it all)
There’s no new themes featured in this update, but with all the new additions and improvements, we know you’ll be more than satisfied with this update.
The above was pasted from the “What’s New” section when I submitted the update for review. [import]uid: 7849 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12517[/import]
Can’t wait !
Carlos [import]uid: 24 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12631[/import]
Looks great [import]uid: 7911 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12644[/import]
Since the update that will turn “Doodle Dash!” into Tilt Monster has been submitted, I’ve since put Doodle Dash! back on the market.
If you don’t have it and want to download it for free, I pulled the remaining Doodle Dash! 1.3 promo codes for anyone who wants to have it downloaded, so when Tilt Monster comes out you can simply update without having to go through this process again:
FJN4APWJ9FPP
YPJF74X3EPYL
M3LEWW94RXLN
PMJFWF9YFM6W
9NEJR6PRJMKE
TJF6XLFAM4TF
Y3MKX9J4KRF4
9YRXAFW4T9K7
3KH6HLH7647F
MTJL6KK93KEN
LTNMJ6HYPJLR
KHM3T7JJW9XY
YXXAAPT6MLNX
67N9YMMNX49R
3N4MTPHXAYW9
NN9FFHPM4XE4
3JFRTXA6LYMN
R33XNE9KP46X
TTTWT34P36FE
96NFYWPT3RHH
If you do take a promo code, I’d appreciate a rating/review if you have a moment. Or, if you want to wait until Tilt Monster comes out, you can just submit a rating/review for that (which I hope you do if you take a promo code).
Also, PLEASE don’t judge the game based on Doodle Dash! After spending quite a bit of time with Tilt Monster, I’m a little embarrassed by Doodle Dash! and feel as though Tilt Monster is more of a sequel rather than an update (even though it IS an update)… which is why Tilt Monster will be version 2.0.0 instead of continuing from 1.3.
Whatever your feelings are towards Doodle Dash! I ask that if you have it on your device, that you keep it at least until you get the Tilt Monster update and then settle on an opinion then.
Thanks for all the support! [import]uid: 7849 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12646[/import]
thanks i took TTTWT34P36FE [import]uid: 7911 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12649[/import]
Thanks Jon, I snagged “R33XNE9KP46X”… I’m looking forward to testing Tilt Monster, and yes, I’ll leave you a review. 
Brent
[import]uid: 9747 topic_id: 3317 reply_id: 12657[/import]