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Psystar bizarrely claims Apple doesn't own copyright for Mac OS X
In what might be the most outlandish claim yet to surface in the case, Psystar now claims that Apple never registered Mac OS X with the U.S. Copyright Office, rendering its copyright invalid, according to InformationWeek. Note that registration isn't a condition of protection, but it is a condition of certain types of infringement actions and damages. Psystar argues, thus, that since Apple doesn't own the copyright, there's no way for Apple to enforce its claims that Psystar violated its copyright. The claim was filed in U.S. District Court last week. Although copyright registration number TX0005401457 describes a "computer program" named Mac OS X, it's unclear how Psystar argues this isn't the copyright Apple owns on its operating system. Moreover, contrary to what Psystar appears to argue, copyright is secured automatically in the United States when the work is created, and registration is not a condition of copyright protection (although it can help in fighting infringement). Our Engadget colleague Nilay Patel sums up this latest Psystar legal stratagem as "desperate." Plus, you can file suit while registration is pending, so even if there was some technical defect in the Mac OS X registration, Apple could fix it while pursuing its lawsuit. If this long shot claim were true, it could undermine Apple's ability to restrict third parties from selling generic clones that run Mac OS X. The back-and-forth arguments are part of a lawsuit Apple originally brought against Psystar for selling Mac OS X with its clones, allegedly in violation of Apple's license agreement. According to InformationWeek, Apple now suspects that a larger company interested in selling Mac OS X-compatible computers is bankrolling Psystar's legal battle. [Via Engadget.]
InformationWeek sums up Mac buying for newcomers
Mitch Wagner bought his first Mac in February of this year, and the 8-month gestation period has given InformationWeek's Mac blogger plenty of experience with his new platform of choice (and don't forget what "experience" really is); he's now realized that he can share this hard-won wisdom with other folks new to the platform. Hence, The Newb's Guide to Apple, a collection of the advice and buying guides from IW over the past year. In case you're wondering whether you should buy an iPhone -- Wagner says "I love mine, but you don't want to get one yet." OK, um, sure thing...Despite the slightly deprecatory title (seriously, I don't know anyone who likes being called a 'newb'), Wagner's helpful links are worth a visit for new users and anyone thinking about a new Mac purchase. His piece on where to buy and find support offers a suggestion I hadn't heard before: try scifi and fantasy discussion groups, that's where the geeks are (he recommended SFF.net's Mac forum). Happy shopping!
Information Week's iPhone Questions
Alexander Wolfe of Information Week has posted his list of the top 7 questions Steve Jobs doesn't want you to ask about the iPhone . For example, Wolfe wants to know "Will the battery crap out after 18 months?" The iPod isn't known for either its long-lived batteries or it's user-empowering battery replacement features. My Kyocera's battery regularly conks out after about 18 months, but it's a simple nothing for me to pop onto the 'net, order a replacement and install it myself. Does the iPhone's lack of simple battery care mean users will have to buy extended iPhone warranties on top of the expensive handset and data plans? Pop over to Information Week to read the entire list of questions. I bet #2 will make you laugh out loud.
John Welch's 22 underappreciated Mac apps
Like They Might Be Giants, the Mac blogosphere has two big Johns: Gruber and Welch. While both are highly informative/informed and entertaining writers, there are some key differences. Welch's blog has to be described as Not Safe For Work. Still, he cleans up right nice. His recent Top 22 Mac Products article for InformationWeek was a considered, cogent and eye-opening take on the "software you can't live without" story. As we've noted for the past couple of weeks, thanks to writers like Welch, Tom Yager, Seth Weintraub and Ryan Fass, there's more and more rosy Mac coverage in the IT industry trade publications. From the perspective of Mac-centric IT folk like yours truly, this is definitely a Good Thing.
Mac Pro: the best Windows workstation available
If I weren't completely bedeviled with Apple's portables (I use both a MacBook and a MacBook Pro) I would a Mac Pro user. Richard Hoffman, writing for InformationWeek, has had his hands on a Mac Pro for 2 weeks and has one word to describe it: 'Wow.'That's good.He goes on to say that this machine is the best Windows workstation available, whether you are using Parallels or Boot Camp.So, Mac Pro owners out there, are you happy with your Mac Pro?
Steve Jobs is in fine health
Hot on the heels of the WWDC '06 Stevenote the Macweb was in a tizzy. Didn't Steve look a little sickly on stage? Why did he include so many other Apple execs in the keynote? Could this mean that Steve is in ill health?Katie Cotton, Apple's VP of worldwide corporate communications (she never calls, she never writes), told InformationWeek that, 'Steve's health is robust and we have no idea where these rumors are coming from.'So there you have it, Steve is fine but I bet he is a wee bit preoccupied.[via MacNN]
