Concerned Podcasters “Settle” with Apple
We here at The Global Geek Podcast respect power. We found ourselves very concerned at the latest threats and actions by Apple Computer inc including the distribution of cease and desist letters to those web sites using the word “podcast”. You would know from the podcast what the go is, if not then listen to The Global Geek Podcast #021.
So we respect the fact that Apple has somewhat more clout than we do. So rather than be sued or worse we took matters into our own hands.
Global Geek Podcast has taken the following action. I have sent a royalty cheque to Mr Jobs, yes we have caved in. I explained to him that we podcasters have no money but it is the best we can do. I sent it today and pray that it protects us from being sued.
Here is the letter that I enclosed with the pictured cheque:
3rd of October 2006
Dear Mr Jobs
You would be well aware of the current state of affairs and the use of the term “podcast”. I am the host of a podcast called “The Global Geek Podcast”. Given the fact that we have in our name the term “podcast” I am concerned that you will be going after us soon.
To that end I have decided to pre-empt any legal action by paying a royalty for the use of the term “podcast”. Please find the cheque enclosed for the sum of one Australian dollar.
My thinking was to say the word would be worth about one cent each time. Since we say it at least once during the podcast; that should cover a few episodes. Take some out for the use of the term in our name (say 10 cents) and get back to me what the ongoing cost might be.
Us podcasters are pretty strapped for cash and I apologize for the fact that I have not taken into account the exchange rate.
I trust that this is enough to keep The Global Geek Podcast safe from legal action for the time being.
Sincerely
Dave Gray
Host of The Global Geek Podcast
http://www.globalgeekpodcast.com
feedback [at] theglobalgeekpodcast.com
I trust that we have done enough. Hang in there guys at this rate we will be able to continue as “The Global Geek Podcast”. I do not want to be known as a “netcast”.
Already the actions taken by this podcast are being blogged about, if you believe in this podcast then please support us and take action now before it is too late. Show that we as bloggers and podcasters of the new media have power as well.
We will keep you informed of updates and we thank our listeners for their support.
October 3rd, 2006 at 10:12 pm
[...] Dave Gray aka Rooster aka the host of TPN’s Global Geek podcast, has taken the initiative and written a nice letter to Steve Jobs offering him a cheque for $1 for the use of the word "podcast". Legally I think he’s probably setting what they call a "precedent", but as long as the precedent is only for $1, I can live with that. Read Dave’s letter to Steve Jobs. [...]
October 4th, 2006 at 9:56 am
Yawn……
Didn’t we sort this out that the problem wasn’t Podcast its myPodder? Can we give this a rest now, its really gotten quite old!
Molly
October 4th, 2006 at 10:12 am
Molly, it was actually PodcastReady and it was only a week ago…
Anyway this is just a bit of a laugh, we know full well that what we are refering to is not going to happen.
October 4th, 2006 at 10:35 am
I Understand that it was Podcast Ready but they call some part of there product/service myPodder (or something to that effect). After a little further reading I believe the letter was for “Podcast Ready” and “myPodder” but not for “Podcast” its self that if you thought that Apple where going to go after “Podcast” as a term, it wouldn’t of cost anything extra to add in “podcast” to the letter to test the waters.
I understand your having a bit of fun about it but I think there are plenty that are serious and its getting very old very quickly!
JMTC
Molly
October 4th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
Uh, take a pill Molly, if you dont like it, dont read it? I dont know, you are being very rude for no reason.
October 4th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Oh, sorry Anon. For a second I thought this was a blog where you had a conversation. Can I suggest if you don’t like my comments you take you own advice and don’t read them!
Molly
PS. Have a nice day!
October 4th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Ok not quite the attention that I thought it might get…
Play nice OK. Thank you for seeing the lighter side Molly and thank you for the defence Anon: was that neutral enough?
October 5th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
My name’s Molly, and I’m a whiny cow who considers things that have been around for less than a month “Old”!
WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
If I ever have a child I’ll throw it out of the house to fend for itself after a month, because it’ll be “Old” then, and as such should be able to fend for itself.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
This “internet” thing is TOO OLD! I shouldn’t even be using it!
WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
“Fun”?!!? What is this “fun” of which you speak?!
CLEARLY EVERYTHING TO DO WITH A GIVEN SUBJECT MUST BE ENTIRELY SERIOUS IF THERE IS EVEN ONE PERSON SOMEWHERE WHO WOULD TREAT IT AS ENTIRELY SERIOUS!
WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
October 6th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Anon, your words would have so much more meaning if they weren’t said anonymously.
Your over selling the old and under selling the fact that Apple never sent the letter over the use of the word “podcast”.
Molly
October 6th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
PS. Seeings you are getting personal, it would probably be the best thing for a kid to get away from you as early as possible! Maybe 1 week or 1 day would be old enough it that case!
(see this childish game really isn’t that hard, intelligent conversation is much harder!)
October 6th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Molly, I see your points and anon(2) yours as well.
Just think what would happen if no-one striked or form, god fobid, a union !!. And we all know the golden rule, “Those with the gold make the rules”.
Give what they want, bow to their demands, cave in, pay off the kidnappers …. need I go on, and what happens they take more and more.
PS: Adam Fakes is my correct name, so don’t say I and commenting with an alias of any sort.
October 9th, 2006 at 6:36 am
Yeah Molly, not very Christian of you!
October 9th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
This flame war is featured in the latest Global Geek Podcast! #022… So boys keep it up.
October 10th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Dave, Thanks for creating a PageBord for this blog post:
http://bordee.com/board/show_posts/313
You guys are doing a good job with the Podcast!
October 10th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for fixing the small issue in regards to the URL. Thanks also for the kind words regarding the podcast.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
[...] As regular readers and listeners would be aware in early October this podcast paid Apple the sum of $1 AU for the use of the term "podcast". That was nearly 2 months ago. It would seem that the wheels at Apple turn slowly but I have received a response from them yesterday. [...]
November 29th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
[...] Remember in October when Dave Gray, one of the hosts of TPN’s GlobalGeek podcast, sent a letter to Apple with a cheque for $1 for using the term “podcast”? I thought he was just kidding around but apparently he did actually send the letter and the cheque - to Steve Jobs. Seriously. [...]
November 29th, 2006 at 11:35 pm
[...] This is a story that I originally carried on The Global Geek Podcast Blog and I do not normally cross post but I thought this was worth a mention. I arrived home yesterday and I found a big yellow DHL envelope waiting for me. I had no idea what it was. Upon opening it I found that I had recieved a reply from Apple Trademark Department regarding my letter and payment. They were returning the payment and my letter. They also added that: “Apple does not licence the term “podcast”.” [...]
November 30th, 2006 at 11:39 am
This is hilarious, Im happy to know you got your $1 back.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
[...] So a guy sent Apple money license the term “podcast” and they said they had no interest in pursing the matter. So, can all the nonsense please stop? The worst offender lately has been Leo Laporte with his “netcast” silliness, which besides being a worse term has the ultimate sin in such a thing - it’s already been used for various unrelated things for a decade. Even Leo can’t stick to it consistently, where he makes a big deal at the beginning of shows and by the middle has forgotten all about it and reverted back to “podcast.” As far as I’m concerned, the terminology stuff is put to bed once and for all. Posted by dave in podcasting (Permalink) [...]
November 30th, 2006 at 7:45 pm
[...] Mange podcastere har været i tvivl, om Apple, som producerer afspilleren iPod, ville forhindre andre i at bruge orddelen “pod”. Den amerikanske podcaster Dave Gray sendte en check til Apples Steve Jobs som en slags afgift for at bruge ordet “pod”, men nu - halvanden måned efter - har han fået sine penge tilbage. Og endnu bedre - et løfte fra Apple om, at man ikke vil tage patent på “pod” eller forhindre andre i at bruge “pod” i sammenhæng med produktion af podcasts. [...]
December 1st, 2006 at 4:44 am
[...] A little while later the Global Geek Podcast sent Apple a letter and cheque for $1 to cover the royalties for their use of the word “podcast”. Never one to recognize a good joke, the Apple Trademark Department sent the below letter back stating that Apple does not license the use of the word “podcast”. Apparently, everything now seems to be ok. Hmmm. [...]
December 1st, 2006 at 8:25 am
[...] In October, Gray sent a letter to Apple CEO Steve Jobs himself, offering to pay a licensing fee for use of the term, along with a check for one dollar. [...]