Before Twitter implemented features that allow images linked in a Tweet to be shown directly on Twitter as part of that Tweet, the role of attaching pictures to Tweets was one mainly followed by the third party service, Twitpic. Though largely redundant since, Twitpic still retained a following with its own subset of loyal users; and some would argue there was a small feeling of comfort in knowing that despite all, the service was still around.

Sadly, that’s all about to change.

Due to a legal demand from Twitter, Twitpic has found itself forced to close its service on September 25th. The exact reason, according to founder Noah Everett, falls over a dispute regarding the company’s five-year old trademark:

A few weeks ago Twitter contacted our legal demanding that we abandon our trademark application or risk losing access to their API. This came as a shock to us since Twitpic has been around since early 2008, and our trademark application has been in the USPTO since 2009.

So why not take up the battle, you may ask? Surely if they’ve owned and use the trademark for five years, Twitpic should have a case regarding their legal right to use “Twitpic” as a name? Unfortunately, Mr. Everett believes the legal costs for such a defence are such that the company can’t afford to pay, so closing is the only option.

Twitpic will be building a photo/video exporting feature to help users past and present reclaim their pictures and videos for a short while before the service shuts up shop for good, though it was not ready at the time of writing.