So soon after the announcement of the iPhone, Apple's legal team is already in up to the elbows. First, there is the name iPhone, which apparently has been patented by Cisco for quite some time, and for which Cisco is now suing Apple. This was of course expected at some level, and apparently Apple had a deal with Cisco which for one reason or another was not fufilled before the iPhone release.
The other bit, of more concern to Treo users, involves the iPhony application. iPhony was a small launcher application that did nothing more than "skin" the normal launcher for both Windows Mobile and Palm OS versions of the Treo to look like the iPhone, complete with a black screen and eye-candy buttons. However, Apple legal decided they did not like the practice, and so have sent out cease and desist letters to number of sites who had linked to to software. Both Brighthand and XDA Developers received the following notice:
“It has come to our attention that you have posted a screenshot of Apple’s new iPhone and links that facilitate the installation of that screenshot on a PocketPC device.”
“While we appreciate your interest in the iPhone, the icons and screenshot displayed on your website are copyrighted by Apple.
Apple Gets Legal On iPhone Skins“Apple therefore demands that you remove this screenshot from your website and refrain from facilitating the further dissemination of Apple’s copyrighted material by removing the link to http://forum.xda-developers.com, where said icons and screenshot are being distributed.”
Michael Arrington, of tech blog TechCrunch was suitably unimpressed, “I think this is all complete nonsense. If Apple wants to go after the guy that made the Windows Mobile skin that looks like the iPhone, fine. But to bully bloggers who are simply reporting on this is another matter.”
What this shows, at least me, is that while Apple may have quite an inspirational product in the pipeline, their actions in this are shortsighted at best, and actually serve to keep the Treo market vibrant. Palm has been excellent in working with its customers and promoting the flexibility of their platform by enabling their users to find new and unique uses for their products. The course Apple is taking in this, against a product that takes no money away from them (it's 6 months to even being available), that's not for sale, and even on could say advertises their upcoming product for them is a sure way to cut into your own sales and success.
via - Digital Lifestyles
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