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Apple De-Certifies Monster Cables After Lawsuit Against Beats
An anonymous reader writes: Since 2005, Monster cables have been licensed under Apple's "Made For iDevice" program, which lets cable manufacturers put a logo on their product signifying they work with Apple products. Now, Apple has revoked that certification. In January of this year, Monster sued Beats, accusing its founders of fraud. Beats was acquired by Apple in 2014, and Monster is accusing Apple of bullying them by terminating the licensing deal. Monster's general counsel said the move would "significantly disrupt Monster's business and that the two companies had worked well for years, with Monster paying Apple more than $12 million in licensing fees since 2008."
Flim-flam cable maker suing overpriced hipster baiting electronics firm over tacky rich kid headphones.
Fetch me my popcorn
Apple, Monster, Beats, an ex hedge fund manager turned headphone designer... This reads like a Marvel comic with only supervillains in it.
If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
I have always admired Monster's business model. Take something as dirt cheap as a cable, tack on a price at least 3000% above cost and not only make it a success but have customers who advocate the superiority of your product on faith alone. Because they spent so goddamn much.
Monster's general counsel said the move would "significantly disrupt Monster's business and that the two companies had worked well for years, with Monster paying Apple more than $12 million in licensing fees since 2008."
So, this is a philanthropic move from Apple, then. Monster are bottom-feeders that prey on the naive, and the world would be a better place without them.
Getting pushed around? Not used to having to deal with someone that can bite back? Keep in mind this is the company that has a track record of attacking any and all start-up cable and connector makers.
This is a great read - a small-time cable maker basically telling monster suck it after they sent their default "infringement" claim. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/...
It matters, in some cases, such as their sync cables. Apple's walled garden is so high most people buy Apple's peripherals just to be sure they'll work.
I'm still shocked, to be honest, that Apple uses standard headphone jacks though.
Seems like it would be a natural market for them.
These programs tend to go well beyond just a sticker, though. If you're not part of this program, you just won't be listed in the store, or carried in Apple's physical stores. If you're not 'certified' for Apple devices, your product won't be in the "Apple Accessories" aisle at other retailers. And if you're not part of the MFi project, then at least in theory Apple could simply block your accessory from working at the lightning interface level.
realistic understanding of the Cult of Ayn Rand
If there ever was an oxymoron....
There are two types of people in the world: Those who crave closure
fancy-pants ones have this great braid on them that makes them slide across one another easily
I was going to ask what exactly are you doing such that 'sliding across one another easily' is important but then I decided that was probably not a good idea.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Typical Anti Ayn Rand rant.
The problem isn't Ayn Rand's viewpoint, it is that reality is skewed by Corporations creating laws to benefit themselves. Thus proving that Government should not be involved in economics, since the moment it is, it is corrupted by its own involvement.
In this case, government protection racket (dressed up as IP law) has created a case where nobody knows anything. I would suggest that Any Rand would say that the three (two now) companies should sue themselves into mutually assured destruction over IP rights that are tenuous at best, letting better, more agile companies to come in and save the customers.
As far as I can see, Apple, Beats and Monster are three of a kind over priced status symbols. let them market themselves that way. And all the Sheeple will come and pay way too much for crappy products. The smart people will pay less for better products.
Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
Just curious who the reasonably priced, quality PC makers are and how they compare to Apple? Also, consider after sales service.
All those that come to mind are at the same price point and quality as Apple. Actually, I can only count one: Lenovo.
I am not saying you are wrong (I am not saying you are right either), I am just saying I need something to put things into context.
Jumpstart the tartan drive.