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Awesome app that Apple had pulled from Android app store makes triumphant return

Published Feb 11th, 2014 11:08AM EST
Themer App Download

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In a recent feature, we covered 5 awesome Android apps that do things the iPhone can’t. While we didn’t include MYCOLORSCREEN’s Themer app in that list, it most certainly fits the bill. Themer allows Android device owners to quickly and easily change the user interface on their phones. And we’re not just talking about simple icon packs here, we’re talking about a completely new look for your smartphone with a single tap. The app has received praise from users and bloggers alike, but earlier this month it was suddenly pulled from the Google Play store. Why? As we learned recently, Apple served Google with a copyright infringement notice and forced the company to pull Themer from its app store.

Good news, Android users: Themer is now back in action.

Google on Monday made the Themer app available for download once again. Apple’s initial problem with the app was that one of the many themes it made available to users was a carbon copy of Apple’s iOS 7 user interface. While the developers behind Themer initially didn’t know if the app would be allowed back in the Play store even after the offending theme was removed, Google was apparently satisfied that the updated version does not violate the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, as Apple had asserted the original version did.

Those interested in the original violation notice will find it below, and the Themer beta is once again a free download that can be found in the Google Play store right here.

This is a notification that your application, Themer Beta, with package ID com.mycolorscreen.themer, has been removed from the Google Play Store.REASON FOR REMOVAL: Alleged copyright infringement (according to the terms of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act).

All violations are tracked. Serious or repeated violations of any nature will result in the termination of your developer account, and investigation and possible termination of related Google accounts. If your account is terminated, payments will cease and Google may recover the proceeds of any past sales and the cost of any associated fees (such as chargebacks and payment transaction fees) from you. Please review the Developer Distribution Agreement and Content Policy to ensure that your applications are compliant with our policies.

The DMCA is a United States copyright law that provides guidelines for online service provider liability in case of copyright infringement. Click here for more information about the DMCA, and see http://www.google.com/dmca.html for the process that Google requires in order to make a DMCA complaint.

Google may reinstate your application into the Google Play Store upon receipt of a counter notification pursuant to sections 512(g)(2) and (3) of the DMCA. Click here for more information about the requirements of a counter notification and a link to a sample counter notification. If you have legal questions about this notification, you should retain your own legal counsel.Please note that we have included a text copy of the Infringement Notice we received for your reference.

The Google Play Team

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.