iOS Do I really need to put my real name under 'seller'?

[wcapps]

I'm going to enroll in the Apple Developer Program as an individual developer and most likely will need to tell Apple my actual name in the process (do I really have to?). And what I'm wondering about is:

Will there be a way for me to tell App Store to display my artistic name (an alias) instead of my real name when a customer visits the page of any of my apps?

thanks

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

You could register as a company instead of an individual. Having a company of one is possible, but you need to register it and have a DUNS and whatnot for Apple to accept it.

 

[firewood]

Apple does not allow anonymous Developer enrollments. Would you want to buy an app from an unknown party?

Apple currently only allows an alias (a company name) for registered corporations with D&B numbers. You might want to investigate incorporating your own LLC, and perhaps trademarking its name. It's not that expensive.

 

[wcapps]

On Google, you can use whatever name you want. Why does Apple have to be so difficult?

 

[firewood]

On Google, you can use whatever name you want.

The Google store also has had a larger quantity of malware and low quality apps found there than in the iOS App Store. Possibly due to anonymous developers. Which might be one of the reasons customers pay less for apps on average on the Play store.

Apple is different because their App store encourages far greater revenues. Good for more app developers.

 

[1458279]

Apple really takes the higher ground on this one, it's probably why Apple rules in the world of business tablets and higher end business apps. The Internet is full of junk spam, we really don't need any more spam.

 

[AxoNeuron]

You can also use the name that the Witness Protection Program gave you. For example, I was an FBI informant back in the 1980's giving them information about the Demagio crime family and I had to change my name to John Randy when I entered witness protection. Apple accepted that name just fine when I created my developer account.

But you don't even have to go that far. You can also just give them the name of your spirit animal.

 

[dejo]

Actually, as far as I've heard, if the name you use doesn't match the name on the credit card that you are paying with, the enrollment will get pushed back.

The Purchase and Activation support page seems to confirm this:

If you are paying by credit card and enrolling as an individual, you must use your own credit card to complete your purchase. If you do not, your enrollment will be delayed and you will be asked for a copy of your government-issued photo identification.

 

[macsrcool1234]

Despite some of the smartass comments in this thread, it's not an unreasonable request.

Say you and a friend work on an app together and ideally we wanted it published under a 'studio' name common to you....is it really necessary to make people officially form a company to do this?

 

[firewood]

...is it really necessary to make people officially form a company to do this?

To get one of Apple's App Stores to distribute your app for you to their customers, yes. Absolutely.

In addition, whether you have researched this or not, an LLC or other incorporation will protect you and your friend from many more various possible legal problems than trying to just doing business together as some sort of partnership under a 'studio' name. Why should Apple get in the middle of those kinds of messy legalities

 

[Stella]

I know a few people who had to create a company entity to be able to publish on AppStore.

Why?

Their employee contracts states any software they wrote in their own time
Belonged to the employer...


Harsh yes - and enforable.

 

[rjp1]

Just setup an LLC in your state. Most states you can do it online and the cost will be around $50. Then go through Apple for getting a DUNS number. They have a special process for getting you a DUNS that is quicker than going through D&B directly.

 

[maxsix]

Your story paints a very Prejudice Pro Apple picture.

The Google store also has had a larger quantity of malware and low quality apps found there than in the iOS App Store.

A Larger Quantity of Malware?
I've used the Play Store and the Apple iOS App Store for years and _never_ been exposed to malware.
Low quality apps ?
Please substantiate your claim.

Possibly due to anonymous developers.

Possibly? Sounds like you're guessing...

Which might be one of the reasons customers pay less for apps on average on the Play store.

Might Be? Do you just sit around spreading fear doubt and random lies about anything you dislike?

Apple is different because their App store encourages far
greater revenues. Good for more app developers.

By now your credibility is gone... Your integrity questionable at best.

 

[AxoNeuron]

Your story paints a very Prejudice Pro Apple picture.


A Larger Quantity of Malware?
I've used the Play Store and the Apple iOS App Store for years and _never_ been exposed to malware.
Low quality apps ?
Please substantiate your claim.


Possibly? Sounds like you're guessing...


Might Be? Do you just sit around spreading fear doubt and random lies about anything you dislike?



By now your credibility is gone... Your integrity questionable at best.

You might have an ideological opinion here, an emotional disagreement. But he is correct, the malware on the Google play store (while still rare) is far more common and more damaging than on the App Store. The fact that you haven't personally seen it literally means nothing.

It's like saying "I've been smoking for years and NEVER gotten cancer", it means nothing.