Apple legal sends little girl running, crying to room

So as the story goes, eight year old Shea was learning to write letters in her third grade class; Shea also happened to be really into her iPod nano. So she decided to hit up Stevie J. with a list of her ideas on how to improve the nano -- you know, standard stuff like "slip a little chip" in there to add support for lyrics, movies, etc. (what, don't you want to officially play Doom, too, or at least Pac-Man?). After three months Shea received a reply from Cupertino... signed by Apple's Senior Counsel, Mark Aaker, who put the little girl in her place by stating "please do not send" suggestions, and letting her know Apple doesn't accept unsolicited ideas. Said Shea, who went running to her room, "It was kind of like they were saying, 'Oh, we don't want your idea -- it's not good or anything.'" (Hey, don't feel bad, whenever we write about improving Apple's products we tend to get harshed on too.) While the story didn't exactly end happily, at least Aaker called the little girl to personally apologize, but not before holding a meeting to change policies regarding responses to letters from children. And just for that, all of our staff's children will be swarming Apple with letters on such varied topics from Apple's potentially increased market share with Boot Camp, to the mysterious video iPod -- replete with backwards Es and Ss.

[Via Cult of Mac]

[dave @ Apr 14th 2006 12:37PM]

Hilarious.

[jygsaw @ Apr 14th 2006 12:39PM]

Wowza. Reminds me of me in 1997. I sent a letter to Sony, complete with mockup images and specs of a then-unheard-of "digital audio player". Even mailed it to one of sony's japan offices. Got a pretty okay response though, nothing harsh at all.

=

[Radical Conformist @ Apr 14th 2006 12:39PM]

This seems like an appropriate response. Apple probably gets tons of crappy suggestions, and it wouldn't be practical to respond to all of them individually. Why should Apple be obliged to send a different response to one particular child?

There are reasons why she got that type of letter. For example, if the next iPod had song lyric support (as mentioned in the child's letter), that bitchy mom would probably have a lawsuit against Apple for stealing her daughter's idea. By sending the letter, Apple clearly indicates that submitted ideas are now their intellectual property.

Imagine the problems if the thousands of people who wrote Apple suggesting video support had sued after the launch of the video iPod. Every organization makes efforts to prevent legal conflicts, and Apple is no different. That girl could have written to any other company and gotten the same response.

I think Steve Jobs is quite full of himself, and I also think that Apple is given far too much attention in the media for its products. Regardless, this incident alone does not make Apple an evil enigma. Seperate legitimate criticism from unwarranted quibble.

[Jacob @ Apr 14th 2006 12:39PM]

Standard practice in many industries. They don't wanna be sued for "stealing your idea" if you somewhere down the road decide you're enetiled to a bit of cash for them inplementing your idea.

The entertainment industry won't even OPEN unsolicited scripts, CDs, etc...

[PEZ @ Apr 14th 2006 12:43PM]

Apple sucks. Now that girl will b e tarnished for life. The parents should sue apple, and eat them for lunch.

An apple a day keeps the improvements away.

[AcidSCAN @ Apr 14th 2006 12:54PM]

#3 - it's better no response at all than be rude with your customers anyway they are the reason why you can have all that money.

Apple always so prepotent, like all the apple-fanboys. They cannot accept the idea they are wrong.

[Camperton @ Apr 14th 2006 12:55PM]

When I was 8 or so I sent a letter to Fisher-Price with some ideas, and their response very kindly offered me a job when I grew up. Now that's what I call good customer relations.

[Chris @ Apr 14th 2006 12:56PM]

Apple can be such butt holes. I had a idea for them as well and im a part of there Developers and it was shot down as well.

[Nate @ Apr 14th 2006 12:58PM]

This is awesome :3

[Vaughn @ Apr 14th 2006 1:00PM]

She wrote a business/formal letter to the company, and got a business/formal letter in reply. Big whoop.

[Stellar Developer @ Apr 14th 2006 1:01PM]

haha, watch the next version of the nano come out with a few more little chips that add support for lyrics, movies, Doom, and Pac-Man!

Apple.. you suck! you wouldnt know a good idea if it kicked you in the nuts :P

[EZBAKE @ Apr 14th 2006 1:01PM]

Yeah, the reason they do that is to protect themselves from potential lawsuits. I work in advertising and we get letters/ideas from people and we just have to toss them. Because if we just happen to go with an idea like one that someone sent in, even if we never got it, we could be in trouble. It happened with my last job and the Taco Bell Chihuahua.

[Daveoc64 @ Apr 14th 2006 1:01PM]

Apple should send a letter to ALL people that send in suggestions (why are children so special?) that is polite but says that they do not take suggestions from the public.

I also find this weird because the iPod nano was the first iPod to include lyric support.

[coolkamio @ Apr 14th 2006 1:04PM]

Well, this girl is stupid..
The iPod nano and 5G Video has already lyrics support..
See selfmade video captured with a nokia 6600 (sorry for the low quality..)
http://xblogsion.com/lyrics.3gp

[ARB @ Apr 14th 2006 1:09PM]

Sounds like Apple does not care what the public wants in future products. I thought you were suppossed to listen to your customers and give them what they want.

[charlie @ Apr 14th 2006 1:10PM]

B*st*rds! First they upset the friendly peace-loving unoffensive french people and now they are picking on poor defenseless children.

Will the horror never end!

[Chris @ Apr 14th 2006 1:13PM]

When I was around 12, I wrote to Microsoft UK saying I wanted to learn more about there products and how they work expecting no more than some typical sales literature or manual. However, I got a lovely response that included thier latest certification training CD and the offer to allow me to sit an exam for free! Through numerous jobs, thats still my number one tale of customer service :)

[Vic @ Apr 14th 2006 1:17PM]

Steve just got hot because now he can't use an idea he had, or did he!

[Ian Jardine @ Apr 14th 2006 1:17PM]

Yup Apple probably does have some legal isssues to [rotect. However, that doesn't excuse a company from being polite. If they do receive many suggestions from their customers they should certainly be polite but firm. Also the Legal dept. should be trained to "respect" customers when phrasing standard replies. W/o customer Apple is zero. So many companies treat their customers poorly. I hope the media attention here attracts the attention of the marketing dept. which rightly should send the legal dept "to their room" to phrase new standard letters.

[Dustin @ Apr 14th 2006 1:17PM]

I had an experience similar to Camperton's, above: when I was 11 or so, I sent a letter (complete with diagrams) to NASA with suggestions to "improve" the Space Shuttle. NASA's response was a packet of 8x10s of the astronauts, launches, artist's renderings of the shuttle in space, and so on, plus several booklets on the history ofthe space program and a fold-out poster of the then-planned Space Telescope. This encouragement led me to focus on science and eventually to enter college as an aerospace engineering major (which I eventually dropped, but still). Apple could be making the customers -- and employees -- of the future, while still meeting their legal needs; instead, it looks like they'd prefer this young woman to go Creative when she starts making these decisions for herself.

[asshole @ Apr 14th 2006 1:19PM]

jesus, people really need to learn to start beating their kids more regularly. like i need some 13 year old little shit with no engineering background telling me fuckall about one of the most successful music devices of the century and how she would like it to smell like gummy bears.

[no choice @ Apr 14th 2006 1:19PM]

Companies have no choice about this.

They have to categorically reject unsolicited ideas, because otherwise someone will just send them letters with every idea under the sun, wait for one of them to be implemented and then say they took it from his idea.

It happens to compaines all the time.

It's sad, perhaps we could get a law saying that if you send an unsolicited idea to a company they legally don't have to pay you for it. Then all this nonsense would end. Oh, no, wait, the overwhemling majority of our Congressmen are lawyers, and they wouldn't want to cut off a ready-made supply of billable lawsuit hours to their buddies.

[BklynKid @ Apr 14th 2006 1:26PM]

I can't comment on whether or not the letter gets sent to everyone that sends in ideas, but the content of the letter was taken way out of context. The letter itself is not rude in any way nor does it attempt to insult anyone. It simply states the facts, that due to legal policies within the company they cannot accept ideas or suggestions that are unsolicited. It then asks the receiver kindly to not send in ideas in the future and if they want to read more about the policies of the company they may do so online.

The little girl just got upset because she didn't get the response she wanted, and in typical media fashion the story got picked up because a poor defenseless girl cried.

Maybe they shouldn't teach letter writing in school before they talk about the legal system? Hmm, just a thought.

[Tobor @ Apr 14th 2006 1:31PM]

#17, you had me at "smell like gummy bears". HEHE, hilarious.

[badnegro @ Apr 14th 2006 1:39PM]

@Camperton (#7)

So have you sued Fisher-Price yet for thatjob they owe you? jk

[Alex @ Apr 14th 2006 1:40PM]

Reminds me of when MIT put on a star wars musical, Lucas Film had to avoid all contact with scripts etc., or even hearing about how it went, so that they wouldn't get caught in a lawsuit in case they ever wanted to create their own star wars musical. You know, in case they both happened to randomly come up with the idea of tap dancing storm troopers (and who wouldn't).

[rajington @ Apr 14th 2006 1:42PM]

Apple did a good thing. They already had lyrics support. If she wanted video she should have gone for a 5G. The average consumer thinks they want videos in their Nano but who would even look at such a small screen? It's useless, two people might use it and everyone will have to pay for it. Videos even take up a huge amount of space. I say good job to Apple for putting stupid little kids in their place.

[badnegro @ Apr 14th 2006 1:44PM]

@asshole

dude. you just totally made me laugh out loud. half my office is looking at me thru my office doors. sweet...

[gork @ Apr 14th 2006 1:45PM]

This just outlines what is borked with comporate American and the Legal system. Of course software is covered via copyright, but ideas themselves SHOULD be solicited from the outside. How else are you going to find ways to improve your product?? They can even do a web at that said when you submit a idea that the idea becomes the property of Apple when you submit it. This releases Apple from any wrong doing. Lord knows Engadget and other sites have pimped ideas for the iPod and Lord knows that they stole a few "ideas" themselves. I mean just because I have an idea for something does NOT mean I know how to implement it. Implementation should be the only thing patentable.

[Tom @ Apr 14th 2006 1:47PM]

Standard business practice, standard stupid parents, standard media hype.

[Adam @ Apr 14th 2006 1:51PM]

am i the only one here who feels bad for this kid? shes a little girl, and she just wanted to express her opinions to apple about (what i assume is) her favorite gadget. i've sent ideas to apple before about how to improve the ipod, but i never heard anything back from them, at least she got a letter. i'm glad that the guy called her to personally apologize, because that was rude to send that kind of letter to her, if they wanted to send her a letter, they could have sent something along the lines of "hey, we got your ideas, and we'll think about using them, but we're not sure as right now we're working on a super-secret widescreen video ipod that will have a touchscreen and we're also busy with the intel iBooks (macbook maybe?)"

[badnegro @ Apr 14th 2006 1:52PM]

hahahaaa

smell like gummy bears... oh shit....

[Dave @ Apr 14th 2006 1:52PM]

I hope when the little girl grows up she ends up getting a degree in engineering and an MBA. After graduating from grad school she starts an apple killing company and then gives the company a little bit of it's own medicine.

There are so many complaints from American high-tech CEO's about the lack of innovation in our corporations, then you see a response like this to a creative little girl. Company policy or not, they have to remember why they are in business and who they are selling their products to. It's this same type of arrogance that has put our auto manufacturers into the position they are in, and probably part of the reason why we are starting to lag (as a nation) in terms of thought leadership.

[iSuggest @ Apr 14th 2006 1:58PM]

@ # 19 (asshole)
i vote comment of the year

[StevieJ @ Apr 14th 2006 2:02PM]

STEVE JOBS DOESN'T PAY YOU TO CRY!

[Eli @ Apr 14th 2006 2:03PM]

Ok, yes they have to reject ideas for legal reasons. However that does not prevent them from having a glowing opening paragraph thanking you for your suggestion. That's how MOST companies do it.

But then Apple has never been big on friendly interaction with customers.

[Callum @ Apr 14th 2006 2:13PM]

8! 8 years old and already hooked up to a nano; i was pretty fond of a pencil case with Jurassic Park's T-Rex on it, aged 8. Her parents should be ashamed.

and 14. charlie- you made me chuckle so.

[sygyzy @ Apr 14th 2006 2:15PM]

How would Apple Corporate know the letter was from a child or not?

[Vince @ Apr 14th 2006 2:17PM]

The title of this post is SO misleading.

Cult of Mac's title: "Miracle Reported: Apple Contemplates Policy Change"

The first sentence from CBS-5's page: "(CBS 5) You wouldn't think a letter from a third-grader could change a company's corporate practices."

The linked story is really about how this one little girl's experience has lead Apple to reconsider their policy. Of course organizations like Fisher-Price or NASA and even the White House expect letters from school children and their staff are probably trained to deal with them. Who didn't write to NASA or the President while in grade school? Apple on the other hand, probably did not expect to receive letters from 3rd graders. They've only recently begun to reaching a larger and younger market.

[Barry @ Apr 14th 2006 2:19PM]

Oh come on, Ryan. This article smacks of sensationalism. Rejecting submissions is a pretty standard practice. Everyone at Engadget, of all places, should know that.

Ryan: -10 (tabloid journalism)

[Cole @ Apr 14th 2006 2:23PM]

Another example of how the world has to cater to little kids.

Everything we do as adults nowadays is constantly being changed because we need to "think of the children". Video games need to be tamed down, TV contest judges need to hide the fact that failure is part of life and now corporations have to use smiley face emoticons when telling someone to "please quit bothering me".

The kid was treated like an adult and suddenly there's an outcry. What are we going to do in 15 years when these kids grow up and realize that the world isn't always going to give you what you want just because you started crying.

[Cole @ Apr 14th 2006 2:31PM]

I have to agree with Barry (post 36). This is the kind of story that should be read by a failed actress to housewives on those horrible morning shows. To sensationalize it by giving it attention here is disgusting.

A little girl was treated like an adult and it made her sad. Big deal. Why doesn't anyone question what kind of parents go calling the media over something like this just so they can put their kid on television.

[rusty @ Apr 14th 2006 2:31PM]

This shit is hilarious. I'm dying over here!

[Graham @ Apr 14th 2006 2:47PM]

Where is your sense of consumerism?
Stop Buttlicking Apple, you do enough by giving them money.
This little "gummy bear eating" girl is a highly potential customer, becuase A) she owns an Ipod B)She has a huge Pester power influence over her parents.
If She is a consumer, then she should be threated with respect, whatever her intentions are. I find it ridiculous to sue for suggestions, specially suggestions that are already used in some MP4 players.
She didn't say make a Holographic Screen, which is made by doing that and this.
No she said " you need to add fm and other stuff".
Nothing she can sue for.
Respect the Consumer!!
Apple Butlicks (fan-ITS)go fuck yourselfs you are part of something that you'll never be, stop standing up for the money grabbers and stand up for the money-spenders (IE YOU ) Morons.
btw.. Apple is the new evil...microsoft is the new good.. its amazing how the can change views like that.
The power of Arrogance is amazing. Ask Steve Jobs about it.

[Rizzy Bizzy @ Apr 14th 2006 2:50PM]

Oh god, that kid expected Apple to actually listen to her idea? What an idiot. I totally agree with Cole, kids shouldn't be lulled into this sense of security that the world is always going to help you, agree with you, and be on your side.

[James @ Apr 14th 2006 2:57PM]

no way apple can't be evil! only ms is evil! that's just the way it is! steve jobs is the messiah!

Graham it's no use trying to argue with these idiots that defend apple whenever they can. It's just pathetic. Any little thing gets blown out of proportion by them. Apple can do no wrong, they are always doing the right things. It's ok if the ipod doesn't have a bunch of features. Until of course, they add it and the fanboys scream "OMG OMG yes!" But I thought they said "we don't need those useless features" LOL.

[WeakGeek @ Apr 14th 2006 3:01PM]

I sent an advertising idea to [well-known chemical company] for advertising a product. I thought it was pretty clever but they pulled a Perry Mason on me. Legal disclaimers, liability statement, the works. I saved the email and I still chuckle sometimes when I look at it.

When I was 10 I sent a couple of ideas to [major US auto manufacturer] and they sent me product brochures and a someone included a handwritten note thanking me for the ideas.

So a company can protect their interests without harshing on people (adults or children). Of course, if Apple decides to start sending Nanos to children that send in ideas...I think I can write at a 4th grade level...

Come to think of it, I DO write at a 4th grade level.

[anonymous apple fanboy @ Apr 14th 2006 3:04PM]

Apple is always right
If apple responded like that the kid needed to be addressed like that.

(I love apple, windows sucks)

[c.Lake @ Apr 14th 2006 3:08PM]

@ Cullen -- # 22

If we had children, do you think we'd have time to bitch and complain about nothing on a tech blog?

Yes she's 8. Her parents clearly have money, or the this story wouldn't have ended up on the CBS News. The embarrassment factor is the ONLY reason any scum-bag "Lawyer" would apologized for anything, Mark Aaker certainly didn't do it out of the kindness of his heart (If he has one).

Believe me, if the kid was from a poor family, the phone call would have consisted of, "Get Bent kid, life is harsh! You better learn to live with disappointment!", that would have been the end of it.

[The_Doctor @ Dec 19th 2007 2:23PM]

Well, he's a corporate lawyer, therefore, he is a vampire. Since he is a vampire, he has a heart, just no shadow.