Embattled open computer manufacturer Psystar plans to file an antitrust lawsuit against the very company it copies for a living. Even after Apple sued Psystar for copyright infringement in July, Psystar refused to close down its offices or discontinue shipping its product. Lawyers for Psystar are pulling the Robin Hood defense, claiming that the intertwined relationship between Apple's OS and its machines involve illegal "anticompetitive tactics."
"My goal is to provide an alternative, not to free the Mac OS," said Rudy Pedraza, owner of Psystar. in an interview. He went on to say that the Mac OS is "essentially generic software" and wished to provide a cheaper option for those interested in the system but not the "exorbitant" Apple prices.
That's hard to argue with. Anyone who's looked at a MacBook Air price tag lately knows the cost of Apple's sex appeal.
The issue is far from simple, though, and the Internet is abuzz with arguments pro and con Psystar. Over at Slashdot, commenters believe that if Psystar wins, Apple will discontinue retail sales of OSX upgrades. One Wired.com commenter claims Psystar is "bastardizing the hard work and great products of Apple." Some CNET readers are cheering for the underdog.
Apple has yet to comment on the countersuit, but this may shape up to be the next United States v. Microsoft. Is Apple an unfair monopoly? Is Psystar being competitive or stepping over the line? What do you think?
Psystar? They don't have a leg to stand on! Apple builds each part of the machine, from binary to bolts, and therefore has a right to say what each component part of the product can be used for. They don't license their software for others to install, they reserve that right. Psystar's new attempt, if successful, will do nothing to help innovation in the industry and everything to hamper development. No company would hold the real right to their product, no matter what, because their competitor would be able to use it scot free after a day at the courts. What would be the point, then, to create new things?
This is, of course, my opinion.
Rest assured, though, that everyone I know will be advised against Psystar.