Don Ho, creator of the Windows-exclusive text editor Notepad++, has publicly rejected an unofficial macOS version called 'Notepad++ for Mac' developed by Andrey Letov. Ho cited unauthorized use of the Notepad++ trademark and logo as misleading to users. Letov is rebranding the app as NextPad++ amid the dispute.
Notepad++, launched in 2003 by Don Ho, has remained a Windows-only application, supporting versions from Windows 7 to older systems like Windows 95. Last week, reports emerged of a 'Notepad++ for Mac' port, which Ho described as misleading and disrespectful. 'To be crystal clear: Notepad++ has never released a macOS version,' Ho stated on GitHub. 'Anyone claiming otherwise is simply riding on the Notepad++ name.' He warned that the naming created confusion and exposed users to potential trademark issues and malware risks, as he had not verified the code or binaries. Ho reported the trademark violation to Cloudflare, the CDN hosting the site's content, refusing to allow continued use even for a few weeks. Letov, who had contacted Ho before launch, insisted his port expanded the brand to macOS and promised changes. 'I will prep for the site and some naming changes. Give me a couple of weeks,' Letov wrote. Recent updates renamed the app NextPad++, replacing the lizard logo with a frog icon referencing NeXT Computer. Version 1.0.5 still uses Notepad++ branding, with 1.0.6 set to reflect the new name; the URL remains unchanged. Letov confirmed to Ars Technica that the port and website were partly created using Anthropic’s Claude CLI with AI agents for coding and issue scanning, alongside manual reviews. The native macOS app supports Big Sur and later on Intel and Apple Silicon, featuring a Cocoa interface. Ho expressed concerns over ongoing support for the independent, AI-assisted project.
