Anti-Trust investigation officially launched on Apple
Apparently, the anti-trust investigation is official – thanks to Andy for pointing this out on the Unity forums:
“Not speculation any more. FTC and Justice Department now acknowledge that they have, in fact launched an anti-trust investigation specifically targeting Apple’s new TOS. Slot that one right next to the already ongoing investigation regarding alleged collusion with other major tech firms over not hiring each other’s developers in order to depress wages. Disappointing from what was once an admirable company. Between them and Google, I guess they’ll have to learn the hard way that being Shiny Cool and Not Being Evil doesn’t give you a free pass to do whatever you want. At least Microsoft was always despicable….
Between the two investigations, it’ll probably only cost Apple, what, $50-100M, which will be nothing but a footnote in their annual report three years from now, but it will definitely be good for the us developers. By the way, DOJ said their move was in response both to claims by Adobe and others as well as complaints from numerous developers. So for those who were yelling loudly on our behalf, hats off to you.”
I don’t think Keith realized HOW much popcorn we’re going to need for this showdown…
John Grden 
This is getting good… *sits back w/ 5 lb. bag*
Technically, I think they are *planning* to launch an *inquiry*, which will determine whether or not they need to do an *investigation*. This is the government after all. No need to be straightforward.
It’s moved beyond the question of whether or not to do the investigation, it’s being decided *who* will be doing the investigation… http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/05/04/financial/f083228D71.DTL&tsp=1
At any rate, I’m all set. http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1623617
Nothing appear to be “official”. Links please
posted in other reply
I am glad to see them finally being investigated. Maybe this will start making it possible for developers to make some tool based decisions once again.
Oh and Keith, exactly how much butter would one need for that bag of popcorn.. haha!
“By the way, DOJ said their move was in response both to claims by Adobe and others as well as complaints from numerous developers.”
Okay, so where do I go to register my complete? Or is the Justice Department just reading everyones’ angry blog posts and tweets? 😉
“complaint” not “complete”.
This is going to take years!
Start acting like microsoft and get treated like them… :}
The louder the developer’s voice is, the better!
Cheers.
If you wanna help try posting a complaint to the FCC or DOJ:
You can get started here: https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formA!input.action?form_page=2000A
Also I have provided an example complaint (from my own experiences):
“I purchased the Apple Developer Kit for $99 USD, soon after Apple changed their EULA (Section 3.3.1) allowing only “Apple Approved” software languages. This has caused a drastic shift in my business model and jeopardized several projects that are in the pipeline for existing clients.
I do not believe a company who has such an influence over the emerging mobile market should be able to perform these anti-competitive practices which disrupt technology developments and thus developers and small businesses alike.
This especially effects businesses who have made large investments into Apple’s platform by purchasing Apple computers to conform to their mobile development policies.”
Vocalize your thoughts and we can only hope they listen to our communal thoughts of developers.
I added a similar complaint, thanks for posting. Apple can go #$@# themselves.
A Question for neo.
Is the Star Wars update just days away? Please, please say yes!
For the life of me, why does apple approve so many crap apps, but takes forever to approve an update to a stellar game lile Trench Run!
Also, if you could keep working on the arcade vector emulation and allow an orientation toggle.
Keep up the good work:)
David
We’re at the very end of QA with 2.0 – and it’ll defintaley be worth the wait. I would love to see it out in the next couple of weeks, but that would be the best case scenario
A little late to chime in but this investigation won’t go very far. The legal system in the US makes decisions based largely on precedence, and in this particular case it favours Apple.
All one has to do is look at Nintendo, SONY, X-Box (to name *current* game developers) to find precedence for companies that virtually dictate the programming environment that developers *must* utilize in order to create games for that platform.
I just don’t see how Apple could loose this argument.
Hey Neo,
What’s the latest on the trench run update and what about arcade vector emulator?
Thanks,
David
Hey Neo,
Are you still alive?
David
Haha yeah, I went in vacation;)
Just before leaving, I turned in what I hope to be the final release candidate for trench run 2.0 😉
So with a little luck, we’ll see it out very soon here