Penny Arcade iPhone/WP7 App

Frankentosh

Hey all,

So I've been in need of a new challenge in programming and thought why not try iPhone or WP7 phone development, and to do so why not write an application that incorporates my favorite webcomic. Really I don't think that it would be very difficult make something that can show the comic/news post for any given day and mark comics as favorites.

The bigger problem I have is the legality of creating such an application (if I ever wanted to put it on the App Store and share with others). It seems like the application is essentially stealing the IP of Penny Arcade to be used by something unaffiliated and detracts traffic from the web site. Although I did think it would be a nice way to make money for Childs Play.

I would love some input on what else you think could be in such an App and/or you guys think that it is even a good idea? Also if this is the wrong section of the forums to put this please tell me, as you can see I am a new .

Thanks and Happy Holidays

Muriden

No advice in any legal sense but as an Android user, please put out a version for us as well

Fletcher

If you want to check for permission, you'd be best off emailing Robert Khoo (PA business manager) and telling him what you're thinking of doing

That said, I don't think they will be okay with it from a legal standpoint because (as you said) you would be diverting traffic away from their site and makiing any money (even if it was all going to childs play, which they have no way of verifying) by using their IP

I know in the past they have given permission for using the penny arcade name as part of a team name etc., but I wouldn't imagine they would be okay with using their material for profit. If they wanted to release an iphone/android app, they would probably do it themselves.

a5ehren

Fletcher wrote: »

If you want to check for permission, you'd be best off emailing Robert Khoo (PA business manager) and telling him what you're thinking of doing

That said, I don't think they will be okay with it from a legal standpoint because (as you said) you would be diverting traffic away from their site and makiing any money (even if it was all going to childs play, which they have no way of verifying) by using their IP

I know in the past they have given permission for using the penny arcade name as part of a team name etc., but I wouldn't imagine they would be okay with using their material for profit. If they wanted to release an iphone/android app, they would probably do it themselves.

All of this, but especially the lime.

I'd just write the app for practice and never, ever release it if you really want to do it and it helps you get motivated to learn.

Tofystedeth

Unless the app is coded in such as way as to just be links to the relevant webpages (so basically, a smartphone version of pipe4 or pennypacker) it'd probably be a bad idea. And no matter what it'd be a good idea run it by Khoo first.

Frankentosh

Thanks for all of your input, I think I am just going to write it for myself as a way to learn for now. I have to agree with Fletcher that if they wanted one they would have one already. Oh well, at least it will be a fun learning experience.

SmallLady

you should write an app that makes viewing and posting on these forms 100x easier from an iphone.