Posted on 04/26/2005 8:26:27 PM PDT by Hank Rearden
Apple Computer Inc. has retaliated against the publisher of an upcoming unauthorized biography about chief executive Steve Jobs by removing dozens of other technology books sold by the publisher from Apple stores around the world.
Apple removed the books last week from all 104 of its stores after failing in a monthlong attempt to persuade John Wiley & Sons not to release "iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business," which is to go on sale within the next six weeks, the publisher said.
The book-spurning is only the latest attempt by Apple executives to crack down on writers who publish or distribute unauthorized or secret information about the computer maker. It's a strategy that experts in brand management say is likely to backfire, only adding to the notoriety of Apple's critics and encouraging sales in countless other bookstores.
"Pulling books off the shelf is a little draconian," said Rob Frankel, a brand consultant. "It reeks of repression."
"This is not the first time anybody has said anything good or bad about Steve Jobs," Frankel added. "He has a much better public brand image than one book could ever dispel."
The book's author, Jeffrey Young, says Jobs has nothing to fear from "iCon." It's a chronicle of Jobs' rise as an innovator and entrepreneur and includes details about his personal life such as his divorce and fight with cancer, he said.
"I thought the book was pretty positive and laudatory," Young said. "It covers his personal life and there is something about his illness. I wouldn't call any of it outrageous. I'm totally bewildered."
Young said Wiley & Sons sent a manuscript to Apple two weeks ago and the company responded by demanding that the publisher halt the release. Wiley & Sons decided instead to stand behind its author.
Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said company executives were declining to comment.
Lori Sayde, a spokeswoman for the publisher, says the company will publish the biography in its entirety.
"We're hoping that they will re-evaluate their position because we have worked very hard to establish a good relationship with Apple," Sayde said. "We're empathetic to all our tech authors who will lose out in this but we support our publisher's decision to publish this book."
Sayde did not know how much money Wiley & Sons could lose as a result of Apple's refusal to sell the publisher's books.
Cupertino-based Apple is known for aggressively protecting its intellectual property, as well as its image.
In December, Apple sued 25 unnamed individuals — presumed to be Apple employees — who allegedly leaked confidential product information in violation of nondisclosure agreements and California's Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
Apple then subpoenaed the Internet providers of three online reporters who wrote about the secret products, seeking to identify their sources. The reporters, backed by major media companies including The Associated Press, said Apple's efforts could erode the media's ability to report in the public's interest.
In January, Apple sued a 19-year-old publisher of another Web site that revealed trade secrets about the $499 Mac mini computer.
Defendants in that case include Harvard University student Nicholas Ciarelli, a Mac enthusiast who publishes the Web site ThinkSecret, and unnamed sources who tipped him off two weeks before Apple officially introduced the mini on Jan. 11.
Steve Jobs turns into Hitler...
I happily use three Macs in my house. That doesn't mean I endorse Steve Jobs' every action, his politcs, or any other element of his life.
I'll say that based solely on what is written here, Apple has gone way overboard. I suspect that there is more to thsi story that is not being told in the article.
I look forward to hearing more about this as the story develops.
An edgy CEO can be a good thing, but a proven lunatic screams for investors to bail out.
Steve's being oversensitive, as usual. Hope his stock dives.
I do, however, laugh at 'em.
Right their with the whole "open source" is communism crap..
I thought he was smarter than this. He should be using this in ways that sell more Macs. It seems his persecution of kids and now this author is more likely to squelch the growing Mac cult.
Yeah but he has always been a totalitarian, communist, socialist. He once tried to control everything related to a product he developed first and now he has only 2% of that market he helped create... computers that is.
It has always been in him, now as he gets older his handlers can not control him.
I recall author John Grisham telling Jon Stewart that getting "banned" is the best publicity you could ever hope for. Sales on Grisham's books benefited greatly from getting banned in certain countries, organizations, libraries, etc.
Steve just did this publisher the best thing he could ever do. Pity that he didn't seem to grasp that.
You're obviously are one of Gates' clone army.
Good grief! They're like Scientologists protecting L. Ron Hubbard.
Look for Jobs to smack Young in the head with the new iClod :o)
Although the traditional penalty for disrespecting the word of Steve (peace be upon him) is beheading, in these times it can generally be pleaded down to stoning.
Thees ees because comrade Steve has returnt power to de pipples from vile reactionary windows pigdogs! Little old ladies need no longer labor under the oppression of your bourgeois control-alt-delete! De childrens can be free from their professional IT taskmasters! De chains of customer support preaching de opiate of reinstallation haff been broken!
LONG LIVE DE REVOLUTION!
WEG
MacMoonies can be that way. I wonder if they have their own Plumbers Unit? Secret recordings? 18-minute gaps?
I wonder if the book's any good? It now has the best publicity possible - some smug SOB wants to suppress it.
Apple Computer Inc. has retaliated against the publisher of an upcoming unauthorized biography about chief executive Steve Jobs by removing dozens of other technology books sold by the publisher from Apple stores around the world.
This is different that book burning how?
Sheesh. I'm glad Steve turned Apple around, but the guy is sometimes missing a few directory entries in his filesystem.
Open source is not communism, it's socialism, like "free healthcare for everyone".
I would guess theres more to it than is being reported. Plus, putting myself in steves shoes- I own a store. Someone who is a vendor of mine ( Ie we sell lots of their products in my store) - they publish and write a book that says bad things about me. I would be ummmm..... Disinclined to acquiesce to their request for shelf space ( If you get my drift)
Plus, Steve may be sensitive, but he doesnt appear to be a dummy. Interesting thought- What if this companies books never sold very well, or they dont want to offer their products at a price that warrants shelf space? Then, As apple pulls the plug on the relationship, they release a media story that says " Crazy old steve got upset with us and pulled our stuff because he's a psycho grump"
Conspiracy theories abound here people.....
Tech
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