Is Apple able to reuse their icons in my own application?

Question

In my OS X application, I allow the user to open the Finder window. I would like to use the Finder icon on my "Open Finder" button. My application will go to the App Store, but I would prefer to crowd out any Apple policy violation when using my icons.

So, will there be such a reuse of Apple? And can someone provide an appropriate link to Apple documentation? (I thought I read that this is not allowed, but I cannot find it now.)

UPDATE: To handle cases, the application of interest does not work, I used the superuser answer of the previous question 12166532 as follows:

// Return an application icon using its bundle identifier - (NSImage *) applicationIconWithBundleIdentifier: (NSString *) bundleIdentifier { NSImage *image = [NSImage imageNamed:NSImageNameComputer]; // fallback icon NSString *path = [[NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace] absolutePathForAppBundleWithIdentifier:bundleIdentifier]; if (path) { image = [[NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace] iconForFile:path]; } return image; } 

But I am very grateful to Rob below to put me on the right track.

Answer 1

This is probably good, in the sense that Apple is unlikely to follow you for such use. This is also probably fine in the sense that applications provide icons specifically for other programs (such as Finder) for display in order to manage applications. Regardless of whether you are sued, it really depends on Apple's legal department and whether you win according to the copyright laws in your country (and exceptions for the fair use of this law). You may request Apple explicit permission; Details are on their website .

In any case, if you do not review the App Store review, change the icon. Nothing wrong.

You probably don't want to hardcode the icon. Instead, run the runtime icon as follows:

 NSImage *imageForAppWithBundleIdentifier(NSString *bundleIdentifier) { NSWorkspace *workspace = [NSWorkspace sharedWorkspace]; NSString *appPath = [workspace absolutePathForAppBundleWithIdentifier:bundleIdentifier]; return [workspace iconForFile:appPath]; } 

Beam identifier Finder com.apple.finder . The identifier of the terminal package com.apple.Terminal .

 $ osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to get id' com.apple.finder $ osascript -e 'tell app "Terminal" to get id' com.apple.Terminal 

Answer 2

http://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/guidelinesfor3rdparties.html

Apple logo and Apple-owned graphics: You may not use the Apple logo or any other Apple-owned graphic, Apple logo or icon on Apple's websites, products, packaging, manuals, promotional or promotional materials, or for any other purposes other than under Apple’s explicit written authorization license, such as a reseller agreement.

This mainly applies to any company. If you do not have an explicit license to use graphics, do not use them.

Answer 3

I do not know about the Finder icon. We used something similar to the icon above in the toolbar menu. They rejected the software update, saying the following.

5.1

The application uses the Home icon in the main window of the application in a manner that is not consistent with Apple’s trademark guidelines.

That was at the end of September 2011, according to our records.

Answer 4

This may not help much, but given that they are licensed and trademarks , I would suggest that if you could use what you want to market your product, there should be no problem placing it in your application. I will see if I can find a more definitive document.

It is also found from the Cocoabuilder forum .