Alright, so maybe it wasn't the legal dispute of the century. But you've got to admit, for two little iPhone flatulence apps, we sure did make a stink!
As you may recall, the fun and games began when Air-O-Matic, the creators of Pull My Finger, contacted me with a demand for $50,000. Why? They claimed that my use of the phrase "pull my finger" in a small portion of our online marketing campaign was responsible for the meteoric rise of iFart to the top of the iTunes app store charts. Subsequently, Pull My Finger dropped like a rock off the charts.
Now I knew that this usage of the phrase had absolutely nothing to do with our success. In fact, one day I may write an ebook about the success of iFart, from the genesis of the idea to the #1 status to the massive media coverage it received. But that's another day.
When Air-o-Matic threatened me and my company, I decided to be proactive and file for "declaratory judgment" with a Federal court in Colorado. In other words, I wanted a Federal judge to tell the Pull My Finger folks to "go away and leave Joel alone."
Man, I really want to tell you the whole story, but its going to have to wait.
Suffice to say that the legal dispute has reached a happy ended. :-)
Our two companies have come together to release a free application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. What do you call an app that is the spawn of two companies that have created flatulence applications and had a very public legal dispute?
"Clear the Air", of course!
You can read the press release here.
When I get around to it, I will tell the entire story of iFart. It's a ripper of a tale. ;-)
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
September 25, 2009 10:04 AM
I have an idea for an interactive competitive reality event that you could call "American Fartol", "So You Think You Can Fart". or "America's Got Flatulent" or something of the like. If interested, e-mail me.
September 25, 2009 02:09 PM
I think you will enjoy my version of your story...with settlement spoilers, on my blog.
September 28, 2009 10:54 PM
Joel,
It's perhaps not case of century, but its definitely a significant case for you. Another significant factor is that your style of creating post & some hint at future posts & products is gonna keep me getting back to your blog again & again.
I liked that idea a lot.
October 10, 2009 11:57 AM
Hey there Joel. Great blog you have here and congratulations on the happy ending. It just goes to show how easily something so small can become a real pain for you and your business.
Glad you came through it at the other end and look forward to the full story :D.
Talk soon,
Michael Appleton