I just read that the famous iPint iPhone app by Beattie McGuinness Bungay is now facing a lawsuit from the iBeer developers.

Apparently BMB approached Hottrix to skin the app for Carling. They were turned down but went ahead anyway. One of our most popular posts on Knitware talked about the lack of brands in this arena. Agencies representing larger brands have not put out many branded iPhone apps and this could be for a number of creative or client reasons. Perhaps agencies and their creatives are not geared up to this sort of innovative media yet. Perhaps clients are keen to invest in proven ROI media in today’s climate rather than gamble on the app store. Whatever the reason, one thing that is for sure is that no matter what media you operate in, the idea is core. You can steal a technique because it’s not ownable, but you cannot steal a good idea. And because this app does not hinge on an idea, but rather a technique, I’m going to stick my neck out and say Hottrix will not win this case (whether we feel they deserve to or not).

Follow the amusing thoughts from (mainly) creatives in Scamp’s comments.

Tags: App, big idea, iBeer, iPhone, iPint, lawsuit