Did Apple approve an app that infringes on Pixar’s property?
Take a look at the picture on the right. Chances are it looks familiar to you. Maybe you think you know why; Oh, that’s a WALL-E game based on the hit movie of the same name, right? No, that’s a new iPhone game called iBot, but yes, its main character sure looks a lot like the character WALL-E’s love interest, EVE.
That’s interesting for a few reasons. First, iBot was made by some company called Alcomi and not Pixar, or Pixar’s parent Disney, the company behind WALL-E. Second, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs started Pixar in 1986 before selling it to Disney in 2006. Apple, of course, makes the iPhone and iPod touch that this iBot game runs on. And third, the look of EVE (and many other parts of WALL-E) were inspired by Apple.
Apple has to approve all apps that are allowed into the App Store, but it’s hard to believe that they have absolutely no problem with iBot. Sure, the character is a little bit different than Eve, it has wheels and is partially painted red, but look at the two side by side below. Yeah.
I have the funny feeling that we might be seeing this game disappear from the App Store relatively soon. So if you want to try it, get it for $2.99 here now.
Update: Well, “relatively soon” looks like it will mean about 14 hours in this case. iBot is gone from the App Store as commenter 148apps notes below.
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About the Author, MG Siegler
MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.