p2pnet.net Opinion:- "It is widely acknowledged that Apple Computer enjoys the kind of slavish devotion among its customers – and fawning adoration from the press – of which other companies don’t even dare to dream. That is, it’s acknowledged by everyone but Apple."

So says Lisa DiCarlo in her Forbes write-up on the fact Apple has decided to join the entertainment industry, of which it is now a virtual part, in suing people.

Her piece is slugged, Apple Bites The Fans That Feed It. "How else to explain Apple’s latest attempt to clamp down on, rather than embrace, its fanatical fans?" asks DiCarlo, referring to Think Secret, Apple’s latest victim.

There has to be a case to answer or Apple wouldn’t bother suing, she says, but, "this sort of stuff happens all the time in the tech industry. Sources leak details of forthcoming products to reporters whose motivation is to get credit for an exclusive story. Here’s the difference with Apple: most of its secret product news is not published first by national, mainstream media, but by Apple advocates. These people are customers, fans and Apple-lovers.

"This community gives Apple untold free – and mostly positive – publicity and buzz about upcoming products and strategies. They salivate over every upgrade. This is a pre-iPod gang–people who supported Apple before the second coming of Steve Jobs in 1997. Consider that it was Apple enthusiasts who helped drive the market for the iPod after its 2001 release, despite a widely held perception that the $399 price tag was too high."

She continues that the current lawsuit alleges. "Unauthorized disclosure of product news diminishes the interest of both the mainstream and trade media in the launch of a new product."

But, "Can you think of another company whose product news garners more coverage – regardless of unauthorized disclosures – from the geek and mainstream media? Apple’s products were featured not once – but twice – on the cover of Time magazine in recent years!"

An Apple statement says the company’s "DNA is innovation, and the protection of our trade secrets is crucial to our success," and, "Fair enough," adds the Forbes story, but:

"Apple has to be the only tech company blessed with widespread coverage of every new product, despite the lack of outbound reach by its PR team. And, much of that is due to its fans, who have created dozens of Web sites with news and commentary about Apple products, links to resources, downloads and message boards."

Are you paying attention, Steve?

===================

See:-
suing people – Apple Bites The Fans That Feed It, Forbes, January 7, 2005
latest victim – Another Apple law suit, p2pnet, January 6, 2005

This entry was posted on Friday, January 7th, 2005 at 4:38 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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