Chrome Timeline Extension Removed from Web Store over Trademark InfringementFigure 1 Image Courtesy of LifeHacker A famous Chrome extension that allowed Windows 10 users to view Chrome tabs in Windows Timeline was removed because it contained the Windows trademark. Developer Dominic Maas is already working on a rebranded version of the application which has been pending approval since 3 August. The removal of the extension has annoyed users, as the software never intended to infringe any Microsoft licensed copyrights. Developer Dominic Maas announced that his famous “Windows Timeline Help” Chrome browser extension was removed from the Web Store after AppDetex filed a complaint about a trademark infringement. AppDetex is responsible for detecting consumer trademarks on the internet and helps companies avoid any violations that the software detects. Upon receiving the notice of trademark infringement Google took down the extension and users are not too pleased about it. Both AppDetex and Google have contacted the developer by email notifying him of the breach of copyright. If Maas is stated to be suspended according to Google for further violations his Web Store Publisher account is. Figure 2 Bleeping Computer Photo Courtesy The Chrome extension allowed Windows 10 users to view their recent / open tabs in the Timeline. Without the extension users are limited to displaying the Timeline only on Microsoft Edge tabs and on recent files / apps. By using Microsoft Graph to incorporate the app, Maas managed to find a workaround to make Timeline compatible with Chrome. Most users downloaded the extension for the added functionality of Microsoft not having Timeline compatible with third party apps. Developer Dominic Maas announced that he tried to re-publish the app called ‘ Timeline Aid ‘ to prevent concerns about trademark infringement but the software has not been accepted since August 3. Internet users are not pleased with the removal since the author actually used Windows in the name of the extension to signify that it operates on Microsoft Os. Most claim that the Chrome extension should not have been taken down by Microsoft as it is one of the most creative applications to be developed that had no intention of violating any trademarks. handle. J2 Global Acquires SaferVpn as They Extend Their Vpn Umbrella Further
ByBill Toulas-July 24, 2019.209 SaferVpn is the J2 Global family’s newest member and the company is excited about the new potential that is opening up. In order to offer faster speeds and more servers, J2 Global could provide the services SaferVpn requires. J2 Global added another Vpn vendor to their large family, this time it’s SaferVpn. The brand will now be managed by NetProtectAs we discussed in June that investing in small Vpn brands makes perfect sense for bigger tech firms as they can buy cheap now and reap the profits later when the Vpn market grows even further. As the Global Market Research estimates that in five years the Vpn market will hit a size of $54 billion, this is a huge business opportunity for those who believe in this venture. J2 Global also owns StrongVpn Encrypt.me and Ipvanish so that SaferVpn’s addition doesn’t fill a gap and it’s unlikely to be the last of this kind. J2 Global invests aggressively in small Vpn brands which maintain a respectable user base and, most importantly, a good reputation in the market. It is this credibility that will serve as the basis for these small brands to take off during the next few years and this growth is assured and guaranteed with the help of the J2 Global. During our tests SaferVpn scored a decent 7.8 out of 10 boasting good security customer support collection of configuration features but showing signs of a problem on the number of servers and the Internet speed. It is precisely here that J2 Global’s capital will support and immediately turn things around. One thing that our expert reviewer enjoyed about SaferVpn is its reputation for carefully and respectfully managing user data. Now that J2 Global has purchased the company, could this somehow turn to the worse? To date, J2 Global has shown no signs of transforming the businesses they purchase into data collectors, but as the data market opens up in future organisations with several Vpn goods, strict ethics will have to be practiced to prevent data sales practices. Especially if the pressure is coming from governments or other persuasive authorities, it will be more difficult to flatly deny sharing. We don’t assume that J2 Global is planning such a thing by any way, but when a small number of companies buy all Vpn products, the risks to users will inevitably increase.