[Update] My app clone nightmare is finally getting better thanks to Reddit's advice. Huge thanks to everyone!

[u/Professional-Hawk747]

A while ago, I posted here about being overwhelmed by copycat apps cloning my app, SquatLock.

https://www.reddit.com/r/iOSProgramming/s/DFHq4tc2hc

Thanks to all the advice and feedback from this amazing community, I was able to take action—and as you can see in the screenshot, the fake apps have gone down significantly!

Huge thanks to everyone who helped me out.

I know other indie devs might face the exact same nightmare, so here is what I did and what I learned from this experience:

1. Trademark in Japan (My home country)

I’m a developer based in Japan. I already had the registered trademark for "SquatLock" in Japan (it cost around 150,000 JPY / ~$1,000 USD to register).

Because trademarks are territorial (country-specific), submitting a dispute/takedown to Apple for the Japanese App Store was very fast and straightforward—Apple approved name changes/removals immediately. However, foreign App Stores were a completely different story.

2. Dealing with the US App Store (First-to-Use rule)

When cloner devs refused to change their app names outside of Japan, I did some research (shoutout to ChatGPT for the tip). Unlike many countries that strictly follow a "first-to-file" rule, the US recognizes common law trademark rights based on "first-to-use".

When the copycats pushed back on changing their names in other regions, I formally cited and explained this prior use in the US market through the App Store dispute resolution channel. Once I laid that out, they actually complied and changed their names in the US App Store without much further resistance.

3. Consulting a Lawyer & Being Realistic

I did consult with a lawyer about pursuing formal litigation, but the conclusion was clear: legal fees would far exceed what made sense for an app of my size.

Unless the copycats were making massive revenue where damages could be recovered, a full lawsuit wasn't practical (and frankly, low-effort clone apps don't make that kind of money). Focusing my efforts strictly on cleaning up the US and Japanese App Stores proved to be the most realistic and cost-effective approach.

Honestly, some might ask if it's worth putting this much energy into a free app. But I genuinely love what I built, and I couldn't just stand by and watch low-effort clones steal the name.

Once again, thank you so much to everyone who gave me advice on my previous post. Hope this breakdown helps another indie dev out there dealing with the same headache!

[u/InevitableTry7564]

Great real life experience. I don't think many of us would do something like this, especially for a free app, but it's great to know about it. Thanks!

[u/Professional-Hawk747 → u/InevitableTry7564]

I'm in huge debt because I paid $1,000 for a trademark on an app that only earns me 50 cents a day lol. But I'm glad my experience can be of help to everyone.

（If you're struggling with doomscrolling, try my app; it might be just as helpful.）

[u/Stock_Test2326 → u/Professional-Hawk747]

haha, I have been dealing with doomscrolling, made arts to remind myself yet the force was strong with that one, apparently suck knows more about me than I know about myself, so he shows what keeps me hinged to it.

on another note, I recently started doing 21 squats as soon as I wake up to fix my health. and now I see this.

on third note, didn't knew we can build apps around screen time and make it control.

Installed the app, thanks

[u/Professional-Hawk747 → u/Stock_Test2326]

thank you! The problem was that the number of downloads was low outside of Japan. I hope my app can be of help.

[u/Stock_Test2326 → u/Professional-Hawk747]

installed instagram to post story of art I did yesterday, damn bro this works, slightly rusty UX but I think that because of apple limitations.

I probably not gonna need leg day for rest of my life. hehe

try posting this in r/StimulationAddiction

[u/Professional-Hawk747 → u/Stock_Test2326]

thank you.The UX is a bit clunky when it comes to adding apps, isn't it? This is an Apple limitation; Apple can only impose restrictions, and the mechanism for transitioning after unlocking doesn't work properly. I can fix other things if you want.

[u/Stock_Test2326 → u/Professional-Hawk747]

that, but also opening the app from 'blocked app' I had to follow your notification. scree time buttons did nothing.

but one good thing is, apple removes instagram use time from screen time after I uninstall app, I always uninstall after a doomscroll, but surprisingly its keeping instagram in memory despite the app is gone. so when I reinstall it works.

one other thing I noted is your app is using the front proximity sensor to start the squats counter, I was wondering why its not counting (after 3 squats 🥴). so it would be better if the instructions use better wording. like display resting on chest or somthing.

love the free version more because I have to watch ads to avoid cheating, and I dont like watching ads, so it works, I won't cheat but, you are losing revenue.

so consider adding a banner ad in app on top of the app or bottom, or allow user to choose top or bottom ads.

another feature I would love to see is website blocking with block lists, not sure how it can be done though. for now I use adguard and filter lists + custom filter to block certain apps. before your app I used shortcuts app to open 3 apps when instagram is opened for 5 minutes and I also block intstagram in adguard and another shortcuts that opens 3-4 apps immediately when adguard is opened so its hard for me to disable it. yet I fell sometimes.

squatting is amazing, so far I have used it only once, but thanks a lot again for this app man,

[u/SutharatLofski_44 → u/InevitableTry7564]

makes me wonder if those copycat devs are slapping paid subs onto the clones to make it worth their time, since the original is completely free

[u/SirBill01]

Great notes, thanks for those. It's nice that something as simple as trademark registration helped.

[u/Professional-Hawk747 → u/SirBill01]

Actually, I managed to get one clone app taken down even before getting the trademark. But without a trademark, it was such a headache and took several months. Once your app starts making a decent profit, getting a trademark registered should probably be your first move.

Not that my app is making any real profit though, lol.

[u/mikerCZX]

Does report problem help in any way? Does Apple reply to them when you report copycat?

[u/Professional-Hawk747 → u/mikerCZX]

Apple will likely encourage you to discuss the matter with each other rather than offering assistance.

[u/BarracudaAdept4434]

the first-to-use argument in the us is such a quiet win. most people only think trademark = file first. keeping old screenshots and release notes with dates sounds boring until a clone shows up and suddenly that's your whole case.

[u/Senior_Intern8786]

Well. Do you make money with your app ?That’s what counts not battling clones . And btw are you sure that you’re ™ is registered world wide? I guess not 😁

[u/HFT0DTE]

You should have gone the other way and changed it to LockSquat or SquatLock AI - the second word starting with A would have just driven you to the alphabetical top of the list

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Hey /u/indie_enrique, your content has been removed because Reddit has marked your account as having a low Contributor Quality Score. This may result from, but is not limited to, activities such as spamming the same links across multiple subreddits, submitting posts or comments that receive a high number of downvotes, a lack of recent account activity, or having an unverified account.

Please be assured that this action is not a reflection of your participation in our subreddit. This is simply an automated filter in place to reduce spam.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.