hey everyone.I made a Pokemon card sharing app called pokify.People could see the pokedex ,edit cards ,have some fun with friends by sharing those cards.But apprently Google play store thinks I'm impersonating the Pokemon trademark.
frustrated and looking for advice.

They could be right... Have you looked into the TOS for the play store and considered the possible implications of use of copyrighted material?

Frustrating, probably annoying, but nice job getting something built nonetheless.

You're using copyrighted material, yes, they will know.
Google play might get in trouble with Nintendo or the Pokemon Company or whoever if they allow your app without you owning the copyright.

what is the correct way to use Pokemon images and data without violating the copyright?

I don't think there is a way to use them without violating copyright, although it doesn't really matter because even if you did get onto the play store Nintendo would take you down super fast, they're notorious for it.

@adamdwalker so what about all the apps on the play store about Pokemon ? how do they manage it?

Do research and get permission in writing. Otherwise, do not use copyrighted material. It is not worth it. Can you modify your app?

@Jumpshot44 well I am a noobie and this was my first personal project that I actaully believed was worth publishing.It is my fault I didn't do much research and believed that writing the copyright clause will provide me with the right to use the images for free purposes.Well I was wrong. Right now I'm hoping to contact Devs who have Pokemon application on play store and ask them if they faced copyright issue using images this big.

@Jumpshot44 oh and about modifying , the main idea of the app revolved around that.I can transform it into something else but that won't be worth it.

@Fixxel I found another app with comic styles but recognisable pics of Pokemon. I'm going to check where those images came from.Hopefully maybe I can use that resource without copyright issue if those images are not an exact replica of Pokemon.

@Batdroid I don't know, but Nintendo are incredibly litigious and try to take down any infringement. If there are apps on the store then I don't know how they're still there

But what would be the point of making a pokemon app and then completely changing their names and pictures to avoid copyright. It would obviously just look like a rip off, and we all know those are never popular.

I don't think you can both use their trademarks and still be public about it.
You might be able to create an apk and spread it outside the play store. Just make sure it can't be linked to you.
If you take credit for it they will try to take it down and probably sue you.
Just think about what's worth it.
It's sad that something you did as a personal project can be so restricted, but there is little you can do.
Maybe there is one chance if you make it clear that is a fan made app, it might be possible to find a loophole there.

A friend of mine has a Pokemon related app. They just wrote "all content is used under the fair-use policy" or something like that. It's still on the Play Store.

@julianmd I did all that too but I didn't get through. a reddit user /u/jinner said to me that sometimes it gets through sometimes it doesn't.