According to an announcement by Orange Pill App, Google has decided to remove the app from Google Play over a complaint by the French telecom company Orange Group.
What is Orange Pill App?
The Orange Pill App, available on both iOS and Android platforms, emerged during the challenging 2022 bear market. It was conceived by a group of Bitcoin enthusiasts who believed there was a need for improved connections among local Bitcoin communities. This startup aims to facilitate global connections for Bitcoin fans.
The app serves as a platform for Bitcoiners to build new friendships, discover like-minded individuals for potential dates, establish more effective networking channels, engage in discussions about their shared interests, and facilitate interactions between Bitcoin-related merchants and buyers.
Orange Pill announced in a tweet on Monday that Google has decided to delist their app from its Play platform, because Orange Group stated they have exclusive rights over the word “orange.”
Orange Pill App’s Response
Matteo Pellegrini, the CEO at Orange Pill App has released a public statement in regards to the matter, addressing the takedown request issued by Google.
He starts by discussing The Matrix movie, highlighting how the protagonist Neo faced a choice between a blue pill for blissful ignorance and a red pill for harsh truth. Neo’s decision to take the red pill has become a symbol of seeking uncomfortable truths.
He continued by explaining that in the context of bitcoin, the concept of seeking truth and embracing change has been adapted as the “orange pill,” symbolizing the realization of bitcoin’s revolutionary potential.
Pellegrini mentioned that their company, Orange Pill App Inc., was named to align with this idea, aiming to bring together individuals passionate about bitcoin and foster local communities based on this shared interest.
In the world of Bitcoin, this concept has been adapted into the “orange pill,” a nod to Bitcoin’s orange logo. The orange pill represents the awakening to the revolutionary potential of a decentralized digital currency.
[…] Our company, Orange Pill App Inc., was named with this ethos in mind as we aim to connect like-minded individuals who share a passion for Bitcoin and create local communities.
He then highlighted their commitment to respecting and safeguarding intellectual property rights, both in their own business practices and towards others, emphasizing that they have no intentions of violating anyone’s rights in this regard.
Orange Pill CEO addressed the issue of the takedown request and pointed out that Orange Group holds trademarks in various sectors, while Orange Pill App’s pending trademark application is exclusively focused on internet-based social introductions, dating, and networking services.
He noted that their business operates in a completely different industry from Orange Group, adding that they have never implied or stated any association with Orange Group and that such an association would not make sense for either party.
In light of these distinct differences between their businesses, he respectfully asked the other party to reconsider and withdraw their takedown notice to Google.
He believes that doing so would allow them to continue serving their customers without further disruption to their business operations.
The Orange Communications Group
Orange S.A., previously known as France Télécom S.A., is a multinational telecommunications corporation based in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.
The Orange brand has been the primary identity for their mobile, landline, internet, and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services since 2006. The origin of the Orange brand can be traced back to the United Kingdom in 1994 when Hutchison Whampoa obtained a controlling interest in Microtel Communications.
Subsequently, Microtel Communications became a subsidiary of Mannesmann in 1999 and was eventually acquired by France Télécom in 2000.
On July 1, 2013, the France Télécom company underwent a rebranding process, adopting the name Orange.
