Is Apple a Software Bully?

Apple Computer seems similar to its old nemesis Microsoft in one respect: Both get heat from time to time for creating knockoffs of innovative software from third-party developers -- which they then incorporate into their respective operating systems. What's at issue is the ethics of emulating the work of outside programmers, rather than cooperating with them so they can strut their stuff as members of the extended Apple family (see BW Online, 5/22/02, "Where Apple Doesn't Always Play Nice").

How do you think Apple should handle such situations? That's the focus of this reader survey, which, as always, isn't scientific, since anyone who wishes to can participate.

Do you think it's ethical for Apple to imitate the innovations of third-party programmers in order to deliver better Apple products?

Yes

No

No opinion

Whether it's ethical or not, do you think Apple is smart to copy the work of independent developers in order to make its products better?

Yes

No

No opinion

Do you think it would be desirable for Apple to work with the outside developers whose programs it admires as it incorporates their ideas into Apple products?

Yes

No

No opinion

Does it disillusion you -- or not -- that Apple uses the same strategy that Microsoft has used from time to time in terms of vis third-party developers, and even against Apple itself?

Yes

No

No opinion