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Apple's position is quite compelling, considering the amount of control they exert on app developers, the iOS ecosystem, and the app approval process.

ZeSmith 15y ago
It actually makes sense for them to defend the developers: after all, would you work in an ecosystem where you can get sued at any time without being protected by said ecosystem's owner?
- SoftwareMaven 15y ago
  That's a little to generic. You can still be sued for infringing on a patent in your software and Apple won't care at all. The reason Apple cares here is that developers are being sued for using Apple's APIs and developers have no choice but to use those. If Apple doesn't succeed in the courtroom, I can't imagine them having any choice but to lay down a significant amount of money to either get a license that covers the app developers or to buy Lodsys outright.
ryanisinallofus 15y ago
Yes. In this case the control is going to help them I think. For one thing it's impossible to both comply with Apple's developer agreement and infringe on the patent. If you use Apple's API you should be protected from infringement due to Apple licensing the silly patent, if you don't you get rejected by the App Store.
- chopsueyar 15y ago
  Exactly.
DrJokepu 15y ago
If you read Apple's motion, they are actually quite upfront about it: "A determination that the Developers are not permitted to use Apple’s licensed products and services will significantly diminish the value of Apple’s license rights, impair its relationships with the Developers, and lead to loss of significant revenue from all developers. In fact, the mere allegation of the same significantly threatens to diminish Apple’s rights and those relationships. Moreover, Apple’s rights will not be adequately protected by the current defendants in this case, because Lodsys has chosen to assert these claims against Developers who are individuals or small entities with far fewer resources than Apple and who lack the technical information, ability, and incentive to adequately protect Apple’s rights under its license agreement."

ZeSmith 15y ago

It actually makes sense for them to defend the developers: after all, would you work in an ecosystem where you can get sued at any time without being protected by said ecosystem's owner?

SoftwareMaven 15y ago
That's a little to generic. You can still be sued for infringing on a patent in your software and Apple won't care at all. The reason Apple cares here is that developers are being sued for using Apple's APIs and developers have no choice but to use those. If Apple doesn't succeed in the courtroom, I can't imagine them having any choice but to lay down a significant amount of money to either get a license that covers the app developers or to buy Lodsys outright.

ryanisinallofus 15y ago

Yes. In this case the control is going to help them I think. For one thing it's impossible to both comply with Apple's developer agreement and infringe on the patent. If you use Apple's API you should be protected from infringement due to Apple licensing the silly patent, if you don't you get rejected by the App Store.

chopsueyar 15y ago
Exactly.

DrJokepu 15y ago

If you read Apple's motion, they are actually quite upfront about it: "A determination that the Developers are not permitted to use Apple’s licensed products and services will significantly diminish the value of Apple’s license rights, impair its relationships with the Developers, and lead to loss of significant revenue from all developers. In fact, the mere allegation of the same significantly threatens to diminish Apple’s rights and those relationships. Moreover, Apple’s rights will not be adequately protected by the current defendants in this case, because Lodsys has chosen to assert these claims against Developers who are individuals or small entities with far fewer resources than Apple and who lack the technical information, ability, and incentive to adequately protect Apple’s rights under its license agreement."