[LINK] Red Cross Emblem Removed from Express Plus Medicare App

[Tom Worthington]

The Apple iTunes store features an "Express Plus Medicare" app from the 
Australian Department of Human Services: 
https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/express-plus-medicare/id648134521?mt=8

However, the App was being promoted using an icon depicting a medical 
worker with a red cross on their uniform. On Monday I pointed out that 
the use of the emblem of a red cross on a white background is reserved 
under Australian and international law for the Red Cross organization 
and authorized humanitarian work (Geneva Conventions). Unauthorized use 
of this symbol is a crime in Australia and internationally: 
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/gca1957208/s15.html

I noticed today that the red cross has been removed from the icon. There 
are other symbols which are commonly used to indicate medical services. 
The obvious solution in this case would have been to change the color of 
the cross. But removing the cross completely is an acceptable alternative.

Before and after versions of the icon at: 
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2013/08/red-cross-removed-from-medicare-app.html


-- 
Tom Worthington FACS CP, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
The Higher Education Whisperer http://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
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Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Research School of Computer Science,
Australian National University http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/