11 replies to this topic

[Neon]

A group of open-source developers say they've changed the name of a podcast application after pressure from Apple Computer's lawyers.

iPodder Lemon was a free application distributed under the General Public License, or GPL, that allows users to manage their podcasts--audio and video programs downloaded from the Internet to an MP3 player.

The product supports more than 15 languages and has a built-in directory with thousands of podcasts feeds. It automatically downloads new podcasts when they become available.

The application's developers say Apple's legal team asked the open-source group to drop the name of the software because it suggested a connection to the company's flagship iPod device. The developers have changed the name of the product to Juice.

Scott Grayban, a Juice developer who also works on a similar product called CastPodder, denied Apple's claim that iPodder's name would confuse consumers.

"It's disappointing to see a large company such as Apple go after a small open-source project, and just shortly after we had over 1 million downloads," Grayban added.

[clarky3429]

i see where apple are coming from when they say iPodder ([ipod]der) i suppose, i mean it is REALLY similar, dont ya think?

[Neon]

But its for their hardware, and they added the word 'lemon' after

[clarky3429]

lol, thats somewhat sour....lol

[Neon]

I always knew you were 'yellow'

YOU -------> :cowboy:

[ShadowFox]

I see the simularity.. Lemon or not, it sounds like Apple right off the top. It is sad that Apple would go after them though... but you gotta fight your way to the top, that's the way life goes.

[tntoak]

There's more to the article than what's quoted above. The representative of the company making Juice said he understood Apple's position, even though he wished it could have ended differently. It's also important to note that Apple never sued them for infringement, they asked them to stop without resorting to lawsuits.

[gamer_pro_2000]

Wow, Apple is going to turn into anther M$ as soon and M$ fades out. Really sad when you think about it.

[kazper]

actually apple came out first before MS if they have been more wiser before, apple would be on a another level right now

[Visentinel]

Other company's have done this in the past, generally when you make something with a very similar name, so close that it may look like the company's own product or it looks like its affiliated you get these kind of notices, its nothing new.

[RedInferno]

Sounds like another company we all know

[gamer_pro_2000]

kazper, on Nov 17 2005, 06:00 PM, said:

actually apple came out first before MS if they have been more wiser before, apple would be on a another level right now

Yeah, I know that Apple was first, but they've been a minority for some time now. I think they are getting power hungry already.