Apple drops iPhone NDA

Apple drops iPhone NDA

Tom Warren on 01 October 2008 - 15:40 · 10 comments & 6293 views

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Apple has announced it has dropped the NDA (non disclosure agreement) regarding development of iPhone software.

In a statement on the company's website Apple explains "We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect".

"However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software."

This is great news for iPhone owners and developers, the announcement will pave the way for freedom of information and books for developers to create unique and innovative software.

View: Apple Announcement

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(1 reply) #1 +kraized on 01 Oct 2008 - 15:44

We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software.

We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don’t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.

However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.

Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.

#1.1 GreyWolfSC on 01 Oct 2008 - 16:06

(kraized said @ #1)

We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software.

We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others donï¿½t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.

However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhoneï¿½s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.

Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.

That's silly... Don't release an SDK for something you want to keep secret.

The statement conveniently mentions the fact that they can still refuse an app that's not released and NDA you to death, so the problem isn't fixed, only misdirected.

#2 lylesback2 on 01 Oct 2008 - 15:44

bring back the "I AM RICH" application lol

#3 Lare2 on 01 Oct 2008 - 16:01

So the Android steps where closer than they thought

(1 reply) #4 madkingsoup on 01 Oct 2008 - 16:30

Looks like a response to the fact that they've been rumbled. I bet nothing would have changed were it not for the recent media coverage.

#4.1 instant.human on 01 Oct 2008 - 17:12

(madkingsoup said @ #1)

Looks like a response to the fact that they've been rumbled. I bet nothing would have changed were it not for the recent media coverage.

you could also see it this way: media coverage means, that it was bugging the folks out there. apple reacting on that means they are for their users.

but i bet my iphone that that POV would be considered fanboyism.

--
however, about frickn time, apple!
and what do we take away from this? competition rules! =)

#5 n_K on 01 Oct 2008 - 17:18

Apple inventions? No sorry, invention is reserved for something you or your company comes up with themselves.

#6 +chaosblade on 01 Oct 2008 - 17:30

Please, Develop innovative software - As long as it doesn't tread on anything we're working on and\or have released an Inferior product of similar nature.

#7 abulfares on 01 Oct 2008 - 17:42

at least Apple is listening to customer's/developer's feedback

#8 tiagosilva29 on 01 Oct 2008 - 18:20

So now they still have to explain why they did not accept the applications that did not break the rules.

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