iPod Tax Causes Sour Apples

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."

Just patent white...

[Stradenko]

...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.

So, Does this Make...

[IMarvinTPA]

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

Or is Greedy generic enough to cover all the bases?

IMarv

Love/Hate

[steelshadow]

So wait, do we love or hate Apple today?

iPod tax, sales tax, land tax

[rob_squared]

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

Hell has frozen over today.

[CDPatten]

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!

Re:Just like RIAA proposed tax?

[Anonymous Coward]

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?

Its called "Geek Capital"

[MarkGriz]

"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

   

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[account_deleted]

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Good idea!

[Washizu]

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

Re:Payment for use of a trademark

[crabpeople]

"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 [tomsbroncoparts.com]

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

Re:huh?

[Philip K Dickhead]

But I got MY tinfoil hat for FREE!