Apple Backs Developers Against Lodsys Patent Threats, Says Devs 'Undisputedly Licensed'

[iansilv]

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Call me a fan boy, but Steve's failure to **** around is exemplary amongst those who repeatedly fail to **** around.

 

[taeclee99]

Glad I wasn't the only one!

Agreed. That tweet should have been chock blocked.

 

[JAT]

LOL you're not alone. At first I was like "WOW, that's one appreciative dev!"

Not sure Steve's up to that right now, anyway.

 

[JAT]

Unsure about the first half of your question, but I wouldn't be surprised if Lodsys only tarted iOS developers (at least to start). It's the bigger marketplace (meaning more money out there to grab).

That was the report. Also, App Store is about the only place where apps cost anything. Not much to be gained by earning a percentage of free apps.

 

[Skika]

The mighty beast roared in warning, defending its pack.

I hope the chicken stops pecking, before it is eaten alive and spat out.

 

[brijazz]

chockenberry sounds like a rejected breakfast cereal from the '80s.

 

[lloyddean]

That's no tax. Apple earns their 30%.

This is just one of the many fine examples of Apple's work!

My point exactly.

 

[ciTiger]

Glad to see Apple is taking part in this issue!

 

[saving107]

I wonder if Lodsys run scared now. I mean I imagine Apple's legal team is about the size of a small city.

Its been said before that Apple Legal has their own building in Cupertino,

This is not it, but just a visual of how big their buildings are.

 

[stevemiller]

lodsys gagged by steve jobs hugs chock.

 

[squirrelist]

Yayyy walled garden!

 

[Consultant]

agreed. That tweet should have been chock blocked.

hugs = huge

 

[0815]

So what are now the legal options?

What can be done against companies like Lodsys that spread fear based on nothing to small developers that don't have the means to defend themselves? Is there some cooperate anti bully law?

I hope Apple comes up with something to shut this company down for good.

Having stupid patents is one thing - but using stupid patents that are already licensed to bully others into paying again is just wrong and should be illegal.

 

[richardsonrs]

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WTG APPLE

 

[stevenshizzle]

The mighty dragon has spoken.

 

[RoelJuun]

Why do people always tend to post childish-hip-written posts on Twitter. And than accompany it with another childish lame picture. Ridiculous.

 

[0815]

Wonder if Google have licensed the patents for their devs as well?

I think the important point is the the developers are using Apples implementation and servers for the in app purchase. --> no double dipping (they can't ask for license for the one who implements it (apple) and the one who uses that implementation (developer/user).

Developers wouldn't be covered if they implement their own in app purchase using their own servers.

So if Google/Microsoft provides an implementation and goes through their servers the developers should be covered as well.

 

[Tiger8]

So what are now the legal options?

What can be done against companies like Lodsys that spread fear based on nothing to small developers that don't have the means to defend themselves? Is there some cooperate anti bully law?

I hope Apple comes up with something to shut this company down for good.

Having stupid patents is one thing - but using stupid patents that are already licensed to bully others into paying again is just wrong and should be illegal.

It really depends on how it will play out. To answer your question, NO. There is no 'corporate anti-bullying' law. In fact, a lot of honest, decent companies and small shops go under because the big guy sues them or threatens to sue. Our legal system is so flawed that it would cost thousands of dollars just to defend yourself, and after months - years of letigation or courts, it could be hundreds of thousands of dollars.

But that said, with Apple in the game, hopefully this won't happen.

BTW a C&D letter typically indicates a potential lawsuit. Apple can, theoratically, sue Lodsys for lost revenue; due to Lodsys bullying, developers stopped selling apps in apple store, which affected apple's 30% cut, which adds up to millions of dollars of damage (lost profit).

 

[hcho3]

In other words, "Leave our friends alone, or we will fight you to the death."

Apple is the most valued tech companies in the world. They can kick Microsoft, so we will see.

 

[ChristianVirtual]

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Great; right move from Apple; though it's not over yet. Apple got a license to for it's Eco system; that should cover all AppStore SKU's incl developers apps

 

[gnasher729]

That's no tax. Apple earns their 30%.

Just one way how developers benefit from the store: Gift cards. People get iTunes gift cards for Christmas, birthdays, and so on, and they use that money to buy apps. Without the App Store, there is no way that developers would get a share of that money.

 

[Lesser Evets]

chockenberry sounds like a rejected breakfast cereal from the '80s.

Ahh, I get it.

 

[fagosu]

Good for Apple. I'll be interested to see how Lodsys responds.

Side note: I had to re-read Hockenberry's first tweet a few times. At first I thought it was very NSFW.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that needed to re-read it

 

[Rodimus Prime]

This would not protect IOS developers that also develop for other platforms.

Yeah that is my fear as well. Also the only reason Apple even "licensed" the patent is because it was part of a huge block of patents licensed from another company that lodsys bought patents from and Lodsys was required to honor all agreements made before hand and part of a block of 1000+ these crap patents were part of it.
I almost wish Apple would go to try to get it declared invalided.

 

[JonB3Z]

Glass half empty much?

Apple has heart. Period. A lot of corporations do.

Up to a point, perhaps, but when a corporation takes an action that serves its own interests, it's not unreasonable to think that was a significant factor in their decision making.

Plus, publicly traded corporations have stockholders who will take a dim view of management actions that don't well serve the bottom line. To think otherwise is naive.