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iPod Tax Causes Sour Apples

Posted by Zonk on from the looking-for-pennies-under-the-couch-cushions dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Apple Computer is stepping up its push to get iPod accessory makers to pay for the right to connect to the popular music player." From the article: "It's not clear what means Apple might employ if companies don't go along, as Apple declined to comment on that. Though many manufacturers have signed up for the program so far, some have complained in private that it's too high a price. But for Apple, the move is a chance to profit further from the empire it has built on the iPod, given that the market for such add-ons is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars per year."

11 of 388 comments (clear)

  1. Just patent white... by Stradenko · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...When used with a portable music player, then for any third-party accessory to match the ipod, they'd have to license Apple's patent...charge extra for the right to use Apple's "White Power certified" trademark on their accessory.

    No true ipod weenie would buy or use a non-matching accessory.

  2. So, Does this Make... by IMarvinTPA · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, Is MPAA to Apple as Apple is to add-on makers?

    Or is Greedy generic enough to cover all the bases?

    IMarv

    --
    Trusting software vendors is no smarter than trus
  3. Love/Hate by steelshadow · · Score: 3, Funny

    So wait, do we love or hate Apple today?

  4. iPod tax, sales tax, land tax by rob_squared · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm just waiting for the Tax tax, you know it's coming...

    --
    I don't get it.
  5. Hell has frozen over today. by CDPatten · · Score: 5, Funny

    First MS releases an innovative wireless software with source. Then Google screws with privacy and Apple becomes "evil" and screws some vendors. Yikes! The /. Crew most not be happy today!

  6. Re:Just like RIAA proposed tax? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    If Apple doesn't do the engineering for accessories or the manufacturing - I see NO reason they should receive the profits?!?
    Are you asking me? How should I know if you see any reason or not?
  7. Its called "Geek Capital" by MarkGriz · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital with the iPod, geek capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style" -- Steve Jobs

    --
    Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
  8. Re:Suicidal Apple Tendencies by jcr · · Score: 2, Funny

    For myself, the ONLY reason I own an iPod was the amazing plethora of accessories avaialable for it.

    Funny, I got it because it does a good job playing my music.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  9. Good idea! by Washizu · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm going to start charging companies who manufacture accessories for me, like hats, clothes, and life jackets.

    --
    OddManIn: A Game of guns and game theory.
  10. Re:Payment for use of a trademark by crabpeople · · Score: 2, Funny

    "if a third party manufacturer wanted to include the line "Made specifically for Ford Bronco" on the packaging of their product"

    http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product.php?categor y=8&id=247

    you have obviously never done work on a car or even been in an autoparts store.

    --
    I'll just use my special getting high powers one more time...
  11. Re:huh? by Philip+K+Dickhead · · Score: 2, Funny

    But I got MY tinfoil hat for FREE!

    --
    "Speaking the Truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell