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Notepad++ Creator Calls Out 'Fake' Mac App Over Trademark Violation

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Notepad++ creator Don Ho said the macOS version of the popular Windows code editor is fake and using the Notepad++ trademark without permission.

Notepad++The unofficial Notepad++ app for macOS

In a blog post, Ho said the macOS app is "not authorized, not endorsed, and not affiliated with" the official version of Notepad++ in any way, adding that it is "misleading, inappropriate, and frankly disrespectful to both the project and its users."

In coordination with Ho, the developer of the macOS port Andrey Letov said he will rebrand the Mac app and its corresponding website in the coming days:

In coordination with Don Ho, the creator of the original Notepad++, I'll be evolving the branding of the macOS version so it stands on its own while respecting its lineage. These updates, such as a new logo, a refined name, and likely a new domain will ship with version 1.0.6 in the coming days. Continuity for existing users is a priority, and I'll make the transition as seamless as I can. Thank you for your patience.

Notepad++ is a popular open-source text and code editor available on Windows, and many users have long hoped for a Mac version. It appears the unofficial port will live on for now, but with a new name and branding.

Emphasis on unofficial.

"To be crystal clear: Notepad++ has never released a macOS version," said Ho.

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Top Rated Comments

ItsASpider Avatar
ItsASpider
9 weeks ago
From reading that GitHub issue, this is genuinely starting to look like some bad faith behavior by Letov. It doesn't take "weeks" to remove the clear trademark violation from your personal project, and he only appears to be interested in making excuses instead of even bothering to apologize. Even the announcement quoted in this article starts off trying to apply a relation where there is none ("coordination with Don Ho" is a strange way to describe someone saying "hey stop using my trademark"). No, this guy was clearly trying to just use the name to get his project out there and to surf on the success of Notepad++ with no intention to "strengthen the brand".
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
dontwalkhand
9 weeks ago
The solution to this…..why doesn’t he just release a MacOS version?
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KENESS Avatar
KENESS
9 weeks ago
"In coordination with Don Ho, the creator of the original Notepad++"

"I'll be evolving the branding"

"I'll make the transition"

This kind of verbal spew makes me sick. You did something blatantly wrong. If you have any hint of character, apologize.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
con2apple Avatar
con2apple
9 weeks ago

The solution to this…..why doesn’t he just release a MacOS version?
Maybe because he's just a small-time developer who doesn't have the manpower to manage half a dozen macOS systems on top of Windows?

Just a thought.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
tech_enthusiast_
9 weeks ago

The Mac guy should have done a trademark search, but really he can be forgiven based on what this product actually is. The confusion here is that the software is GPLv2 open source. Anyone can grab a copy and make a port to any system they want.

https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus

The name Notepad++ however is trademarked by the main developer. If anyone has acted in bad faith here it is the guy who released open source, but trademarked the name so that no one else can use it.
I don't think you understand how open source works. Open source doesn't mean that anyone can take 100% of what you created, port it to a new system, and take credit for it and/or use your project's name on it.

Open source means you make the source code available for people to see and build on, but you still get credit for your contributions and anyone who decides to build on your work has to respect any trademarks you have on brand name, imagery, etc.

The "Mac guy" as you called him absolutely cannot be forgiven. He stole the trademarked brand name from someone and used it to promote an app that he created without their permission. The trademark owner did absolutely nothing wrong. It's important for even open source projects to have trademarks on their names in case of this exact scenario.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Scipster
9 weeks ago
The program shouldn't have infringed on the Notepad++ trademark. It should have been named Notepad+++, and the pro version (subscription only, of course) should be called Notepad++++.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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