iFart Mobile is an application for the Apple iOS, distributed using the App Store. When launched, the screen displays a red button on a brown background. Operating the button releases one of a selection of flatulence sounds with names like “Jack the Ripper,” “Howard the Duck” and “Bubbler.” The app also features a stealth feature that triggers the “fart” after a set period of time, and a security feature that plays the sound if the iPhone is moved.

The app was launched in December 2008 by Infomedia, a technology company owned by Internet marketer and author Joel Comm

Joel Comm

Joel Comm is an American author and Internet marketer. In 2006, he published The AdSense Code: What Google Never Told You about Making Money with Adsense, which were New York Times and Business Week bestsellers...

. Apple’s acceptance of iFart Mobile appeared to mark a change in the company’s policy towards humorous apps. Three months earlier, Apple had rejected Pull My Finger, a rival app with similar functionality, on the grounds of “limited utility.” That decision, later reversed, sparked complaints among commentators about the arbitrariness of Apple’s decision-making.

iFart Mobile went on to become one of the most popular apps on the iPhone, reaching the number one spot on the application charts before Christmas 2008, remaining there for three weeks and staying in the top ten until mid-January 2009, by which time it had sold more than 350,000 copies. VentureBeat reported that the app was generating more than $10,000 a day and on Christmas Day 2008 alone saw more than 40,000 sales, worth $30,000 to Infomedia.

The app has gone on to be featured in the Daily Show and The Today Show and to be mentioned by a host of well-known personalities, including Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong

Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...

, Robin Williams

Robin Williams

Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...

 and Carol Vorderman

Carol Vorderman

Carol Jean Vorderman MBE is a British media personality, best known for co-hosting the popular game show Countdown for 26 years from 1982 to 2008. In September 2011 she became a co-anchor of the ITV1 panel show Loose Women....

.

Lawsuit

In January 2009, Air-O-Matic, Inc., creators of “Pull My Finger,” claimed that Infomedia had infringed its trademark by using the phrase “pull my finger” in its press release. The company also accused Infomedia of “unfair business practices” and contacted Apple to request that the app be removed from the store. Apple suggested that Infomedia and Air-O-Matic sort the issue out between themselves. Air-O-Matic responded by demanding $50,000 in compensation from Infomedia.

On February 13, 2009, Infomedia filed for a Declaratory Judgment, arguing that “pull my finger” is common American slang and not a trademarked phrase, triggering a much-publicized legal fight. In September, 2009, the two companies settled their differences and together launched a free app called “Clear the Air.”