Comments on: Are Heavy-Handed Tactics the Way to Foster Brand Loyalty? http://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ChrisSperahttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2199 ChrisSpera Mon, 15 Jan 2007 18:01:48 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2199 @endroren, I can see that... and agree that protecting intellectual property is important. It is after all, THEIR copyright. but I think that can be done without the sledge hammer. The people that are doing this aren't trying to copy the iPhone. I'd argue that while the look is part of the copyright; the feel can't be duplicated on the devices where the look can be. The iPhone won't be released for another 6 months. After that...it may be "more appropriate" to pursue that kind of action; but now, when Apple is trying to generate excitement around the iPhone; don't you think its a better road to allow the community to create the excitement than to stomp on it (which is effectively what was done...to someone who didn't even create the files or method to duplicate the look). Paul was fulfilling his role as a Mobile Devices Evangelist; and I support what he did: He tried to help create some excitement by REPORTING on a development. A cease and decist letter was a bit much. A friendly e-mail or even a phone call, say from Steve himself, could have accomplished the same thing, with a HECK of a lot more style, finesse and class. I would have done the same thing that Paul did - I would have removed the links and screen shot; BUT had Steve called or e-mailed me himself, I would have felt a heck of a lot better about it; AND I wouldn't have felt threatened by a huge corporate machine and their guard dogs. With great power, comes great responsibility. (Sorry... on a Spidey 3 kick.) Just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you should do it. I think this was handled poorly. No money was made, had the potential to be made; and nothing of consequence (at least in my mind at this time) was profited by Paul. I just wish someone in Mr. Job's office had realized this before the contacted the Legal Department and had them jot off that letter... @endroren,

I can see that… and agree that protecting intellectual property is important. It is after all, THEIR copyright. but I think that can be done without the sledge hammer.

The people that are doing this aren’t trying to copy the iPhone. I’d argue that while the look is part of the copyright; the feel can’t be duplicated on the devices where the look can be. The iPhone won’t be released for another 6 months. After that…it may be “more appropriate” to pursue that kind of action; but now, when Apple is trying to generate excitement around the iPhone; don’t you think its a better road to allow the community to create the excitement than to stomp on it (which is effectively what was done…to someone who didn’t even create the files or method to duplicate the look).

Paul was fulfilling his role as a Mobile Devices Evangelist; and I support what he did: He tried to help create some excitement by REPORTING on a development. A cease and decist letter was a bit much. A friendly e-mail or even a phone call, say from Steve himself, could have accomplished the same thing, with a HECK of a lot more style, finesse and class.

I would have done the same thing that Paul did – I would have removed the links and screen shot; BUT had Steve called or e-mailed me himself, I would have felt a heck of a lot better about it; AND I wouldn’t have felt threatened by a huge corporate machine and their guard dogs.

With great power, comes great responsibility. (Sorry… on a Spidey 3 kick.) Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean that you should do it. I think this was handled poorly.

No money was made, had the potential to be made; and nothing of consequence (at least in my mind at this time) was profited by Paul. I just wish someone in Mr. Job’s office had realized this before the contacted the Legal Department and had them jot off that letter…

]]> By: monkey2nuthttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2197 monkey2nut Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:36:19 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2197 Apple's spokesman, Steve Dowling, was quoted as saying the Cisco lawsuit is "silly" ...if that's silly, what does that make this ? Apple’s spokesman, Steve Dowling, was quoted as saying the Cisco lawsuit is “silly”

…if that’s silly, what does that make this ?

]]> By: Endrorenhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2189 Endroren Mon, 15 Jan 2007 13:54:57 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2189 I don't think it matters to Apple whether they care or not. What matters is that some day, when someone really DOES try to rip them off, that they can display that they've aggressively protected what is theirs. If they pursued money damages right off the bat or something similar I'd call that "heavy handed" but if they simply send the necessary threatening letter, I call that "protecting your IP in the eyes of the court." I don’t think it matters to Apple whether they care or not. What matters is that some day, when someone really DOES try to rip them off, that they can display that they’ve aggressively protected what is theirs. If they pursued money damages right off the bat or something similar I’d call that “heavy handed” but if they simply send the necessary threatening letter, I call that “protecting your IP in the eyes of the court.”

]]> By: ChrisSperahttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2187 ChrisSpera Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:33:21 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2187 runningman, not a big deal. It happens... :) runningman,

not a big deal. It happens… :)

]]> By: runningmanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2186 runningman Mon, 15 Jan 2007 11:20:51 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2186 Thanks Judie, sorry Chris. I obviously did not stay at the Holiday Inn Express either! Thanks Judie, sorry Chris. I obviously did not stay at the Holiday Inn Express either!

]]> By: Mitchell Okehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2185 Mitchell Oke Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:44:50 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2185 “Didn’t I read somewhere a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time ago that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

I was going to say that, but these days imitation is the surest way to get sued unfortunately. I can understand their position that something they have taken a lot of time, effort and $$$s to create is being used by others without them receiving any profits, but they need to realize that this it is a form of flattery, and not an attempt to dig into their profits or rip off their product.

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2182 Judie Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:25:55 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2182 Hey Bill, I just wanted you to be clear that Chris wrote this piece not me. We are working on making the various posts' authors more obvious. :-) Hey Bill, I just wanted you to be clear that Chris wrote this piece not me. We are working on making the various posts’ authors more obvious. :-)

]]> By: Jerry Raiahttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2181 Jerry Raia Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:00:49 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2181 That is a great quote! That is a great quote!

]]> By: GreatDayhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2180 GreatDay Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:48:29 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2180 Didn't I read somewhere a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time ago that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Maybe not anymore---maybe now-a-days it's the sincerest way to get your butt kicked. I'm curious, does Microsoft go after everyone who has skinned their device to look like Vista? People, the ice caps are melting. Is copying an icon (and I mean that with small letters, Steve) our biggest concern these days. I think I also read somewhere (Wavy Gravy was it--can't remember....) "When you lose your sense of humor, it's just not funny anymore." Didn’t I read somewhere a l-o-o-o-o-n-g time ago that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Maybe not anymore—maybe now-a-days it’s the sincerest way to get your butt kicked. I’m curious, does Microsoft go after everyone who has skinned their device to look like Vista? People, the ice caps are melting. Is copying an icon (and I mean that with small letters, Steve) our biggest concern these days. I think I also read somewhere (Wavy Gravy was it–can’t remember….) “When you lose your sense of humor, it’s just not funny anymore.”

]]> By: ChrisSperahttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2179 ChrisSpera Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:44:35 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2179 @drowe, I'm not certain. Perhaps its the source of the pictures... who knows. I'm not a lawyer; and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night either. @runningman, I hear what you are saying, but with the actual release not for another 6 months, they really need to rethink this position. Its not like the PPC theme will take the place of an iPhone. and I also agree that this will be better with the 2nd and 3rd generations. @drowe, I’m not certain. Perhaps its the source of the pictures… who knows. I’m not a lawyer; and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night either.

@runningman, I hear what you are saying, but with the actual release not for another 6 months, they really need to rethink this position. Its not like the PPC theme will take the place of an iPhone.

and I also agree that this will be better with the 2nd and 3rd generations.

]]> By: drowehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2178 drowe Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:36:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2178 What a surprise..... Lawyers! What is the difference between a picture on a web site hyping this thing and a picture on my pda today screen? What a surprise….. Lawyers! What is the difference between a picture on a web site hyping this thing and a picture on my pda today screen?

]]> By: runningmanhttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2174 runningman Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:27:49 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2174 Judie, it's one thing to create excitement and interest in a product; its yet another to encourage the use of 'illegally reproduced content', for lack of a better phrase, and provide a roadmap directly to it. I've read the letters and the other info, and I'm afraid I would come out at the same place. I deal with a lot of contracts, and sometimes the line is very fine (and I am not an attorney, but a business type). I know Apple wanted the buzz early in the year, but I would have waited until the production model was closer to release. As you note, 6 months is a LONG time in the tech world. However, I agree with Jerry. I think this product will be much better from a practical standpoint in generation 2 (and I love my three iPods). Bill Judie, it’s one thing to create excitement and interest in a product; its yet another to encourage the use of ‘illegally reproduced content’, for lack of a better phrase, and provide a roadmap directly to it. I’ve read the letters and the other info, and I’m afraid I would come out at the same place. I deal with a lot of contracts, and sometimes the line is very fine (and I am not an attorney, but a business type). I know Apple wanted the buzz early in the year, but I would have waited until the production model was closer to release. As you note, 6 months is a LONG time in the tech world.

However, I agree with Jerry. I think this product will be much better from a practical standpoint in generation 2 (and I love my three iPods).

Bill

]]> By: Judiehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2173 Judie Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:21:52 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2173 I want to actually use an iPhone and then make my final judgement. But right now, 6 months is a long way away; a lot can happen and change, either with Apple or other OEMs. I am intrigued by the iPhone, but I am not yet sold. I want to actually use an iPhone and then make my final judgement. But right now, 6 months is a long way away; a lot can happen and change, either with Apple or other OEMs.

I am intrigued by the iPhone, but I am not yet sold.

]]> By: Jerry Raiahttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2172 Jerry Raia Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:16:41 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2172 I still don't get all the excitement. This device is just not all that interesting. I think this will wear off like a bad hangover after a while, especially if they leave the price where it is. I still don’t get all the excitement. This device is just not all that interesting. I think this will wear off like a bad hangover after a while, especially if they leave the price where it is.

]]> By: Mitchell Okehttp://www.geardiary.com/2007/01/14/are-heavy-handed-tactics-the-way-to-foster-brand-loyalty/#comment-2170 Mitchell Oke Sun, 14 Jan 2007 23:49:34 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=1981#comment-2170 I agree, Apple doesn't seem to understand that a lot of people are excited about their new product, and until they can get their hands on one, they want to emulate it as best they can. If anything this is free advertising for them. I agree, Apple doesn’t seem to understand that a lot of people are excited about their new product, and until they can get their hands on one, they want to emulate it as best they can. If anything this is free advertising for them.

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