Twitpic closes doors after conflict with Twitter

The photo service Twitpic, which has long been widely used for sharing photos on Twitter, is closing its doors. Twitter allegedly demanded that Twitpic cancel its trademark application; otherwise, the company will lose access to the Twitter api.

The photo service will close its doors on September 25, founder Noah Everett announced. In the coming days, a tool will come online that will allow all users to download their posted photos and videos.

Twitpic is said to have come to the decision after Twitter demanded that the company withdraw its trademark application for the name ‘Twitpic’. “That came as a shock to us, as we have been using the Twitpic brand name since 2008 and filed a trademark application as early as 2009,” Everett writes. It is unclear why Twitter is suddenly objecting. The company probably fears name confusion.

If Twitpic does not withdraw its trademark application, the company will lose access to the api, Twitter threatened, according to Everett. The company then decided to throw in the towel. “We don’t have the financial resources to defend ourselves against a big company like Twitter,” Everett said. It is unclear why Twitpic did not choose to continue without a registered trademark or under a different name.

Twitpic, along with services like Mobypicture and Yfrog, has long been widely used by twitterers to share photos and videos. However, three years ago, Twitter introduced its own photo service, which is automatically used in the Twitter mobile apps and on the Twitter site. The popularity of the photo sites quickly declined.