Apple Computer is among several companies restating their financial records with the SEC. Allegations are being levied that Steve Jobs was handed some stock options without the approval of Apple’s entire Board of Directors. It’s ugly and now they’ve got more issues including a lawsuit alleging an illegal monopoly. Was it illegal to create iTunes to work exclusively with iPods? I don’t think so but some federal judges will mull it over.
Things brings up the question again of government should play much of a role in software development, especially where free markets have already been successful. It would be nice if it were easier for more folks to download our podcasts. Not too mention the fact that downloading Quicktime or iTunes is possibly the worst customer experience of all time.
Another suit being filed against Apple “alleges that the logic board of Apple’s iBook G4 fails at an abnormally high rate.” I don’t see how they could argue that one.
From Hudson Florida, this is Brent Norris for the World Organization of Webmasters and the WOW Technology Minute.
Additional Resources
Apple’s SEC Filing: Jobs Knew, But Didn’t Appreciate Accounting Implications
http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/061229/23236_id.html?.v=1
Latest Apple SEC filing draws confusion
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1960
Stock options investigation delays Apple SEC filing
http://www.tuaw.com/2006/12/15/stock-options-investigation-delays-apple-sec-filing-1/
Has Apple Finally Become a Monopoly Like Microsoft?
http://www.applematters.com/index.php/section/comments/has_apple_finally_become_a_monopoly_like_microsoft/
Report: Apple facing several federal lawsuits
http://news.com.com/2061-10793_3-6146400.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-5&subj=news
Apple takes $84 million charge, defends Jobs
http://news.com.com/Apple+takes+84+million+charge%2C+defends+Jobs/2100-1047_3-6146295.html
Why your music collections will bite the DRM dust
http://talkback.zdnet.com/5208-10532-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=16294&messageID=322810&start=-1
The so-called Apple music monopoly From: David Farber dave@farber.net
http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200605/msg00209.html