4 ms·

Is there a precedent for conditions of a uniform voluntary agreement being considered "predatory"? Edit: The parent comment did not deserve downvotes, folks.

• kjksf 16y ago
  I'm not sure what uniform means in that context but "voluntary" is not a good standard because it's too loose a word. Again, going back to Microsoft's case: reportedly Microsoft demanded OEMs to stop dual-installing competing BeOS on Windows machine or else they would have to pay more for Windows license. For the OEM that was voluntary contract in that they had a choice: quit the business selling Windows machines, be less competitive than other OEMs (higher prices or smaller margins) or stop dual-installing Microsoft's competitor. The third option was the most compelling but neither was fair or good for competition or users. Apple is in the same position as Microsoft was: they can impose whatever restrictions they want on access to iPhone/iPad users. Acceptance of those rules is "voluntary" on part of Amazon or Sony or Mozilla or me, but that doesn't meant that those rules are fair or good for competition or users. I for one, would like to see Firefox on iPad but it's not going to happen thanks to "voluntary" agreement between Apple and Mozilla that Mozilla "voluntarily" couldn't accept. And that's just one example of things that I would like to see on iPad but won't.