A fan who created an unofficial festival app has been asked to delete it by Glastonbury Festival just days after it was launched. The festival - which is less than two weeks away - is preparing to release its new official app with Vodafone, its 'connectivity partner', and said ‘Glasto app’ used official Glastonbury properties without their consent.
The app’s creator Reece Chown said he spent two weeks building the interface from scratch to offer an easy-to-use app to show act clashes, which was released on Friday, June 2. Initially named ‘Glasto App’, the developer said he was asked to remove the app by Glastonbury Festival and Vodafone.
Glasto App was shared on multiple Glastonbury social media groups and received thousands of downloads in 24 hours, which caught the attention of both the festival and Vodafone. Glastonbury Festival told Mr Chown that the use of the festival logo, map and the word ‘Glasto’ in the title had infringed on its intellectual property.
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After removing any Glastonbury references, he deployed the update to ‘Plan Your Festival’. It was rebranded and live by midnight on Sunday (June 4). However, the amendments did not satisfy either party. Mr Chown said he was told that any mention of ‘Glastonbury’, ‘Glasto’ and ‘Pyramid Stage’ in the app written in plain text infringes on their IP, and henceforth the festival continued to press for its removal from the app stores.
The developer has since deleted the app out of respect for Glastonbury Festival although he is hoping to discuss reviving it after the music event, taking place on June 21-25. There is already another unofficial app called ‘When.fm’ in the app store that contains the full Glastonbury 2023 line-up, among other festivals, allowing planning and other features similar to Plan My Festival. It has operated for seven years.
In response to the app’s removal, Glastonbury Festival said: “An unofficial "Glasto app" was uploaded to the iOS and Android app stores which used official Glastonbury properties such as the festival's official logo and site map, without our consent. One of our key ways of communicating important updates to festival-goers during the event is via our official app - which we will launch soon with our connectivity partner Vodafone - as such, we sought the removal of the unofficial app from the App Store.”
In March, Vodafone confirmed it had taken over from EE as the festival’s 'connectivity partner' in a multi-year deal. Vodafone has promised its network will be boosted to the highest capacity ever on-site at Worthy Farm. Emily Eavis previously said the festival welcomed the 'commitment they have made to supporting our festival in its technical and network requirements'.
As part of the partnership, the network announced the launch of a new Official Glastonbury Festival app. The app has not yet been released with less than two weeks to go before the festival.
Plan Your Festival’s app removal has prompted frustration from people online, many of whom are questioning when the in-house Vodafone app will be ready. On Twitter, many people showed their support for Plan Your Festival.
Twitter account @Glastopia said: “So so sad. This app was made by someone that loves the festival for all of us who love it too. @planyourfest - the app was simply too good. Don’t give up!”
@AndyRoyle added: “Gutted for you as the app is great and gives us all we need without any corporate nonsense. I, like many will be happy to stand you a drink for your sterling effort so far. Don’t lose faith, you did a good thing. @vodafoneUK shame on you.”
@Magicpickle_Ski commented: “Shocking behaviour from @VodafoneUK. Completely missing the point and ethos of @glastonbury Really hope someone (c’mon @emilyeavis) see’s sense and reverses this decision!”
@Paul__Armour pointed out that Plan Your Festival could collaborate with a website like Clashfinder, a popular website that allows people to print the line-up at home. “Clashfinder is [a] great source of information but format is analog in a digital age. Wonder how your app IP could help them in some way ? Long standing resource that pre-dates any new IP….just saying like.”
Glastonbury Festival is on Worthy Farm near Pilton from June 21-25, 2023.
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