Twitpic closes

Free hosting of images and videos Twitpic stops working on September 25, 2014 . Until that time, all users can download their files.

Twitpic is a very popular service. Often used by journalists and activists to quickly spread news in the blogosphere and chronicles events almost in real time.

“For us, this is an unexpected and difficult announcement, and we want to clarify its causes,” writes Noah Everett, author and founder of the project. A few weeks ago, Twitter representatives contacted our lawyer to withdraw from the application for the Twitpic trademark, otherwise we will be denied access to the API. This is an amazing event, since Twitpic has been working since the beginning of 2008, and a trademark application has been filed with the USPTO in 2009. ”

The causes of the conflict are quite understandable. The commercial designation Twitpic uses a derivative of the word Twitter, which Twitter considers unacceptable. They can deny access to the API of anyone at their discretion. And if the business of a firm is completely dependent on access to the API, then the firm is in a vassal position and is forced to fulfill absolutely any requirements.
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Twitpic was not easy to register a trademark. Difficulties arose, to overcome which took several years. However, they almost completed the procedure. Now continues the penultimate stage, when the statement is published for filing possible protests from third parties. The company Twitter did not file a protest, it acted more effectively: it delivered an ultimatum directly.

“Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to oppose such a big company like Twitter and protect a trademark that we consider absolutely and completely our own. Therefore, we decided to close Twitpic. ”

Noah Everett personally thanked everyone who participated in the short 6-year life of Twitpic. The founder of the project said goodbye to users and said that he would miss old times.