Trademark & Fake app on iOS

[czlucius]

Hi,

I know this overlaps with #4587, but I’d like to bring this up again due to some recent developments.

There appears to be a fake "Termux" app on the iOS App Store (link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/termux/id6738933789) by this entity "FREE Al UTILS COMPANY LIMITED". They use the same icon and name as Termux, and even charge in-app purchases (as can be seen on the App Store webpage), exploiting the popularity of the official Termux on Android app by misleading iOS users.

In addition, the same entity now appears to be attempting to register “Termux” as a trademark in the United States. The application (USPTO Serial No. 99268173) is currently listed as Pending and covers software in a domain closely aligned with the official Termux project:
https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=99268173&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch

The filing language further suggests a connection between the trademark application and the misleading iOS app, such as:

“AI-enhanced command-line execution, automated workflows, and intelligent assistance …”

I am not sure what action the official Termux developers can do about both of these problems, but I would think that if this trademark is granted, there could be potential legal complications for the (official) Termux app on Android, in addition to the existing issue of iOS users being misled on the App Store.

Just wanted to ensure the team is aware of the situation.

Thanks.

[sylirre]

https://web.archive.org/web/20250331145427/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fau.sshterminal - Related.

I can't open app's page on Google Play directly, like it was deleted for some reason.

"Free AI Utils" likely going to try to take over Termux on Play Store. I don't know whether this is possible, but US trade mark claim could be helpful for them.

[tstein]

@czlucius Thank you very much for the heads-up. We are seeking advice on this situation and will follow it as best we can.

On the general principle that programmers speculating on legal matters rarely helps, I'm going to close this issue. Feel free to reach out to me if you see anything new happening out there that you'd like us to be aware of.