thelinuxlink.net

$RANT=ON

;this is just ridiculuous... apple threatened the ipodder developers over the software's name.

;nothing like copying the people that helped cultivate a community around your product, taking ownership of their movement, and then shutting them down. nice apple.

;thankfully, bashpodder should be safe. hard to confuse "bash" with "i".

$RANT=OFF

;treehead

Huh -- I hadn't seen that link to apple claiming to have made podcasting teh win. That is simply disgusting.

jebus this is stupid. Whoever made podcasting known as podcasts shouldn't have (I *HATE* iPods). Now they are claiming it was them who made it? Although this was a good thing since its name no longer implies something for an iPod but its kinda sick how much control Apple has.

This corporate attitude about "owning" the English language is getting utterly ridiculous. Give me a *freakin'* break. Now anything beginning with "i" is considered an Apple trademark? Just like Microsoft guns for anyone naming something that begins with the letters W, I and N, and ends with O, W, and S.

What's next, Apple going after all of the optometrists now 'cause many of them advertise themselves as "Eye" doctors?

"Hmmm.. That sounds too much like your business could be confused with Apples iPod. So, we're gong to sue you now."

This tradmarking / patent shit is too much. God forbid Bill Gates trademarks the letter K or G.

While I think it is sucky, I do see how they have a brand name to protect: iPod. Now why they did not go after them from the get go is somewhat questionable. But because they have a competing product with iTunes, I guess they banked on calling in that rooster.

From Apple's perspective, they have not control over the quality if iPodderX. So if the developers just throw their hands up and crank out a crappy product this could hurt apple in the long run. Let's say someone is browsing about looking at reviews for iPods and comes across a bunch of negative reviews and complaints regarding ipodderX. They may think that iPodderX is an Apple product for the iPod and not buy and iPod. That's the kind of stuff they are afraid of. They have to protect their brand and crush any competition to their products.

I found it funny that MS went after Lindows so hard yet you can see cheap ass apps like WindowsCleaner on the market which is not affiliated with MS at all. Why not sue them? Probably because MS is not selling a competing product.

Dann, I'm sorry to say this is the first time I've disagreed with you (well, at least something you've written or said). I do understand that can be an argument made in Apple's favor, but I think apple is just up to it's old, and increasingly corrosive tricks. Personally, I think apple have become scumbags in equal proportion with M$, though certainly scumbags of a different flavor. Admittedly I'd still choose an ass-raping from Jobs over Gates or Balmer any day of the week. I posted my (very graphic, and not at all work-safe) opinions at http://www.linuxfortherestofus.com.

Keep in mind that I have a very, very long time relationship with Apple. Longtime as in, I was beta testing the Lisa before it hit the market type of long time (though I was admittedly very young). Also keep in mind that I understand the difference between having opinions and having thoughts.

Snarkout, I should have clarified that I do understand in their eyes that they feel they have a brand name they must protect. I personally think what they are doing is ridiculous, petty and ultimately further perpetuates the viewpoint that Apple is becoming a big bully.

I think it is shameful that they ignored a technology until it started getting too popular then sought the support of the community, including the iPodderX guys to help improve their own products only to turn on them in the end.