AllThingsD » Open Mac

Psyonara …

John Paczkowski — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:11:09 +0000

After twice failing to meet a deadline to formally respond to Apple’s charge that its Open~~Mac~~Computer Mac clones violate Apple copyrights, Psystar has finally answered Apple’s July 3 lawsuit–with one of its own. On Tuesday the company filed paperwork for a countersuit that accuses Apple (AAPL) of tying its OS to its hardware in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act. “We’re alleging restraint of trade, among other things,” said Colby Springer, one of three attorneys representing Psystar. “We’re going to let the court decide.”

A curious strategy for a company that has been selling desktop computers running Mac OS X in clear violation of Apple’s software license agreement–desktop computers Apple claims are so lousy they’re damaging the Apple brand. Interesting, though. Because if Psystar wins the suit it would certainly set an interesting precedent.

Not that it’s likely, given the acumen and prowess of Apple legal. They’re like Pacino’s John Milton in The Devil’s Advocate–the whole team of them.

"OpenMac" Not Open for Much Longer

John Paczkowski — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:07:15 +0000

Psystar, which made headlines back in April for its $399 “OpenMac” Mac clone, is making headlines again today–in law-related media. Apple (AAPL) has filed suit against the Florida company, alleging violations of its shrink-wrap license, trademark and copyright. “Apple licenses the use of its Macintosh operating system software for use only on Apple-labeled hardware,” the company argues in the suit, adding that Psystar’s alleged infringement “is and continues to be intentional, willful, and in conscious disregard of Apple’s rights.”

Odd that it’s taken Apple this long to drop the hammer on Psystar, but now that it has, the company’s days are almost certainly numbered.

"OpenMac" Not Open for Much Longer

John Paczkowski — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:07:15 +0000

Odd that it’s taken Apple this long to drop the hammer on Psystar, but now that it has, the company’s days are almost certainly numbered.

Apple C&D Incoming in 5…4…3…2

John Paczkowski — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:04:45 +0000

A brassy little outfit called Psystar is getting a lot of attention today for peddling Leopard-compatible desktops. These “OpenMacs,” as the company’s named them, run on Intel (INTC) chips and feature 2GB of memory, a DVD drive and whatnot. They’re built from PC parts and, if you’d like, Psystar will even outfit them with Mac OS X Leopard.

Sounds like a compelling proposition for folks who would like the Mac OS on cheap hardware. Too bad the Mac OS X EULA specifically forbids installing the OS on non-Apple computers. Apple (AAPL) legal is, no doubt, already half-finished with a cease-and-desist letter.

Apple C&D Incoming in 5…4…3…2

John Paczkowski — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:04:45 +0000