I agree with some other commenters here that the correct response here is not to blame Apple. Yes, it's fashionable to attack them these days, but it honestly isn't their fault.
The rules of the game fundamentally change when you add software patents to the mix. All it takes in this new world to ban a competitor's products is a vague patent and a sympathetic judge. Apple, in fact, has now been on both sides of this issue – suing Samsung's products out of the EU, and losing an injunction to Motorola in Germany.
You can't blame Apple (or any of the other companies who may emerge) for playing this game. If they can prevent their products from being pulled off the shelves, it's stupid not to.
It's akin to (as many have noted) the problem of nuclear proliferation. Blaming Apple is like blaming the US for not unilaterally disarming. Sure they didn't, but it's understood that they had a good reason, and, out of self interest, should have done exactly what they did.
The rules of the game fundamentally change when you add software patents to the mix. All it takes in this new world to ban a competitor's products is a vague patent and a sympathetic judge. Apple, in fact, has now been on both sides of this issue – suing Samsung's products out of the EU, and losing an injunction to Motorola in Germany.
You can't blame Apple (or any of the other companies who may emerge) for playing this game. If they can prevent their products from being pulled off the shelves, it's stupid not to.
It's akin to (as many have noted) the problem of nuclear proliferation. Blaming Apple is like blaming the US for not unilaterally disarming. Sure they didn't, but it's understood that they had a good reason, and, out of self interest, should have done exactly what they did.