Apple Inc. has updated it’s iTunes software to block use with the Palm Pre device. The recently-released device was compatible with the iTunes software, letting users organize media with the software just as they would with an iPod. An Apple spokesman commented that this update, “disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre.” Palm responded by reminding Apple who the real target of this change is.
“Apple’s move is a direct blow to their users, who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience,” Palm spokeswoman Leslie Letts said. She recommended that users stick to the older versions of iTunes or consider other music applications to organize the media.
Jon Rubinstein, a former Apple exec who played a big part in the iPod, became Palm’s executive chairman in October 2007. The Pre has touch-screen control features like the iPhone. The recent awarding of a patent to Apple in January covering certain multi-touch functions may affect Palm and other companies eventually.
Result for: executive chairman
Summer Redstone, the executive chairman of both Viacom and CBS has made remarks in the keynote speech to the Seoul Digital Forum 2008, in which he notes that “attitudes toward protecting entertainment copyrights internationally” are thankfully improving and he sees the glowing benefits of copyright protection.
“I am increasingly preaching to the converted in piracy-prone markets around the world,” Redstone said. “Governments in China and India are starting to take an active interest in enforcing copyright, if only to protect their own homegrown content,” he added.
Redstone then cited that China was looking to safeguard content it will be producing for the upcoming Olympic Games and that India was increasingly looking to protect its Bollywood film industry.
Redstone also added that film piracy costs the US economy at least $20 billion USD every year. Viacom, the giant corporation, owns Paramount Pictures, MTV and Comedy Central among others and is controlled by Redstone.
During a Q&A after his speech, Redstone even called YouTube a haven for piracy.
“We cannot tolerate any form of piracy by anyone, including YouTube,” he said.
Last year, Viacom sued YouTube seeking over $1 billion USD claiming that the site was full of copyrighted videos from Viacom shows and movies.
