The American "Digital Millennium Copyright Act" on behalf of WhatsApp Inc. started an attack against public available source code of reverse engineered WhatsApp API (Application programming interface) and affiliated files.
Affected are several WhatsApp clients like the well known N9 version called Wazapp. According to DMCA they "continue to cause significant harm to WhatsApp".
DMCA contacted several GitHub users which made their source codes available on the web-based hosting service for open source projects. Thanks to GitHub it is possible to share your projects and let other people contribute to it. WhatsApp Inc. claims that the on GitHub available projects include "extensive
amount of content that infringes on WhatsApp Inc.'s copyrights and
trademarks" and therefore requested a takedown of affected files.
Despite the debatable use of WhatsApp's official servers on unofficial clients, it is unclear whether this move is a fight against open source clients or against used names and logos which are WhatsApp's property.
In case you are already using an unofficial WhatsApp client on Nokia N9 or Jolla, you don't need to worry. But DMCA's interaction certainly is a drawback on the open development of such alternative clients. Let's hope that WhatsApp shows some acceptance towards all the people who can't access the official WhatsApp client and therefore tolerates applications like Wazapp or Mitäkuuluu.
Message by DMCA:
"I have reviewed the infringing providers, content, and code ("content") posted or referred to on GitHub, and there continues to be an extensive amount of content that infringes on WhatsApp Inc.'s copyrights and trademarks. This continues to cause significant harm to WhatsApp.
By this email, please accept this formal notice and takedown request for the following content on the GitHub site. I am starting with these requests to ensure you will take action on our request. We will have follow-on requests, as the list of infringing content below is not exhaustive.
Specifically:
1. The following URLs use of the WhatsApp name and logo, use of other WhatsApp content, unauthorized use of WhatsApp APIs, software, and/or services, and provision of software and services related to WhatsApp infringes on WhatsApp's copyrights and trademarks, including those related to WhatsApp's name and logo. WhatsApp's trademarks are registered in the United States and countries throughout the world.
2. The initial infringing content is located at:
[links removed, please visit original source: https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/master/2014-02-12-WhatsApp.md]
1. WhatsApp has a good faith belief that the infringing content is not authorized 2. by WhatsApp, a WhatsApp agent, or the law.
The information contained in this notice is accurate and, under penalty of perjury, I am authorized to act on behalf of WhatsApp, which is the owner of the exclusive copyright and/or trademark rights that are being infringed.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, I would appreciate your confirming that you have received this and whether you will take action to remove these providers and this content.
Thank you again very much for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
[private]
General Counsel
WhatsApp Inc.
[private]"
