So apparently my understanding of copyrighted information isn't as good as I thought. I had some links in my app that loaded the algorithms we use for CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) on the American Heart Association's website. The jpg files are free available online, and my app was free, so didn't think it was an issue. I got an email today from them via apple stating I illegally used their copyrighted material. They were also upset because I mentioned these algorithms in my app's description and because the link to these algorithms were a custom url as opposed to launching a new browser, both of which also violated their copyright agreement. They have a very long copyright agreement. They told me I had a couple days to take down the app or they would take legal action (already removed the app and sent an update). Now I have to figure out if I can make my own algorithms or if they've somehow copyrighted the data within the algorithms as well. Confusing...

why not negotiate with them to use their content?

It's always a good idea to read the fine print on a Web site at the bottom, usually where it says legal to protect yourself and save time. Formulas, algorithms, code, articles, video, images and almost anything on a Web site should be assumed to be copyrighted unless they are specifically open source, royalty free, or give you the right to use them. If the math is based on common medical practice it shouldn't be to hard to come up with your own, only if they have proprietary research they used to come up that's not publicly available would you have trouble duplicating. Contracting out a project on elance shouldn't be hard to come up with your own or even better. Try looking at US Government Web sites, often the material is available without copyright and in the public domain.

I'm confused. Is the algorithms literally like 'how to administer CPR?' Seems crazy. Don't millions of folks know how to do this? I'm missing something.

Every 5 years the American Heart Association puts out new guidelines for CPR (BLS) and the advanced cardiac life support. For example, this time around the usual ABC's have been changed to the CABs. There aren't many changes each time but the drugs we use sometimes change as well as the order we do things. So having the algorithms is nice during a code because if you don't run them often you may forget which drugs you're supposed to use or the dose etc. I tried emailing the AHA, so far no response. Their copyright notice said no one can use more than 4 algorithms (there's about 12) since that makes them a direct competitor. But since they set the standard of care I can't imagine the information itself is copyrighted, and I've found several paid apps specifically made for these guidelines but the app designers used their own images. The good news is that their images didn't display well on the iPhone anyways... so silver lining.

Hmm. I wondered if that was going to happen. I told a paying customer that I would not publish AHA algorithms as they (AHA) have published without a release, which neither they nor I have received. Typical BS from AHA. Reminds me of a little Amiodarone fiasco they got in trouble for.....