Determining the reason for the suspension of impersonation in the publication of applications

Question

I uploaded my first Android app on Google Play yesterday and was very excited for my app to finally be there.

But my app got paused to impersonate . I obviously didn’t get any more information about what I violated specifically, and I’m not sure that I have to change for the application to be accepted (rather, try again as a different application name).

Before you can help me, you will need to find out some information about the application itself. So I basically made a companion video game application. I called the application "Horadrim Companion" and he suggested that it helps players play Diablo 3. Naturally, I use the elements from this game in the application.

So my main question is: why did I get the suspension of avatars?

I can present several options, please help me figure out which of these can be a problem:

• I did not write “This application is unofficial” in the description that I saw in several other applications. This may be the only reason, but I am not experienced enough to make this assumption.
• I took the logo from the game. Which in itself should be borderline, but I saw that other applications do the same, so I decided that this is normal.
• App name. I don’t think I ended up in a sweet place with a name or something else, and I don’t think it was some kind of factor for the bans.
• Design in app? I saw that other applications use design elements from Blizzard Entertainment and / or Diablo 3 design elements. Could this be another possible reason? It sounds more like a violation of the right to copy, if anything, and not an impersonation.

Therefore, I’m not sure if the impersonations of the above are critical for politics or not. I would really like your help, you could make one developer a happy person. I am really afraid that the account will be completed.

I really liked your suggestions!

Answer 1

You typically receive an email from Google Play Support using REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the spam provisions of the Content Policy. Please refer to the keyword spam policy help article for more information. REASON FOR REMOVAL: Violation of the spam provisions of the Content Policy. Please refer to the keyword spam policy help article for more information.

Your title and/or description attempts to impersonate or leverage another popular product without permission. Please remove all such references. Do not use irrelevant, misleading, or excessive keywords in apps descriptions, titles, or metadata.

If you haven’t received such a notification, please try to appeal the removal or suspension of your application on Google Play using the form in the link below:

https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/contact/appappeals

Most likely, the reason for the suspension is one of the list of options in your message, but usually it is explicitly highlighted by Google in their email in the section “REASON FOR REMOVAL”

The link below lists more reasons to remove due to third-party IP trademark infringement: https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/2986098?hl=en&ref_topic=2985713

It is unlikely that your account will be terminated if you are not identified by Google as a repeater.

Answer 2

I had the same issue with paused app publishing due to impersonation.

I solved this by purchasing / registering the domain name that I used as the name of my application. I also added a message from my developer to the company information section of my keystore, signing apk for release. After that, my second attempt at publishing was successful. It becomes easier if you really own the domain of the package name you want to use. I think that basically the algorithm used to verify the originality of our applications is too strict. Therefore, we must also play our part and do the extra mile to show that we are legitimate.

Hope someone can relate to this.

All the best.

Answer 3

"I took the logo from the game story" This is not your resource, so you violate intellectual property.

"Application name" You can not use the word trademark

Answer 4

"I've seen other apps use design elements from Blizzard Entertainment."
Those apps must have been released a few years ago. Now the SQA team is really strictly following the rule. I mean, if you are looking for "One Piece" or "Naruto", there are many applications that are doubtfully licensed.