It's tricky - I agree it's really frustrating when there are clear examples on the App Store that violate whatever reason the reviewer has given for the rejection. I did receive this reply recently from Apple: Thank you for your post. We recommend that you sign up for a session with App Review during the weekly Meet with Apple event. Sign in with your Developer ID and select "Request a one-on-one App Review consultation". A member of the App Review team will help you with your questions regarding the review process and the App Review Guidelines. I wasn't aware of this service (I am relatively new to this), hopefully it will be of use to anyone struggling with the App Review process.

I appreciate you clarifying you're not affiliated with Apple - that was pretty obvious, but that does make the lengthy lecture about what App Review is "doing me a favour" with a bit strange, given you've admitted you have no insight into their processes. You've also managed to argue both that Launchpad is terrible (and Tahoe's version is even worse), and that I shouldn't bother building something better. Well I'm using mine daily and find it to work quite well, so I thought other people might as well. "It looks identical to Apple's LaunchPad" - yes, it's a grid of app icons. That's what an app launcher looks like. By that logic, every calculator app infringes on Calculator.app. I've added several new features not offered by Launchpad or Spotlight. My original question was a straightforward one: have people encountered IP issues during review for apps that improve on native functionality? I wasn't asking whether strangers on the internet think my app has commercial merit. If you've got experience with that specific question, happy to hear it. Otherwise, I think we're done here.

I already released LaunchGrid for free on my website (https://launch-grid.app) - you seem to be under the impression I'm trying to sell it? I am simply wanting to release the app on the App Store for anyone who prefers to download their apps there. I just wanted to understand the app review process, you're suggesting that the app reviewers have decided there are enough Launchpad clones? Seems unlikely given the 1000s of the duplicate apps across all categories. When I say I'm not trying to clone Launchpad, I mean to say I'm trying to offer the same functionality but with additional features. Not just a cut and paste version of Apples. Anyway, thanks for the advice… Note: wasn’t trying to spam reply… was getting errors so added response here.