Re: Copyrights, Interfaces, etc. (attn: Apple Reps)
Re: Copyrights, Interfaces, etc. (attn: Apple Reps)
- Subject: Re: Copyrights, Interfaces, etc. (attn: Apple Reps)
- From: Creed Erickson <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 18:08:21 -0800
On Monday, November 17, 2003, at 01:10 PM, Daniel Todd Currie wrote:
So I'm working on an audio app that will have a readout display based
on real-time microphone recording. I'd really like to use the
greenish rounded field that Apple uses in iTunes, but I'm worried that
ripping off a UI element like this would attract some negative
attention. There is, nonetheless a fine argument for such use of the
iTunes field in the Aqua HIG:
"Consistency in the interface allows people to transfer their
knowledge and skills from one application to any other. Use the
standard elements of the Aqua interface to ensure consistency within
your application and to benefit from consistency across applications."
The functionality of this field would be similar from iTunes to my
app, and familiarity with this functionality would make my app
immediately more usable. Would using this display field cross the
line of acceptability? Would Apple really have a reasonable legal
claim against people using greenish rounded fields? To what extent is
it acceptable to "borrow" ideas from other applications, as long as it
is done in good spirit?
I'd really like to ask an Apple representative, but I have no idea how
to get in touch with the appropriate person (perhaps this list is as
good a place as any). Nonetheless, I think this might be a pertinent
non-technical discussion to have in a development forum such as this.
A couple of thoughts:
First, mailing lists are not the place to seek official apple response
to such queries. You'll never get it here. I'd check through ADC
channels if you're serious about that goal.
Second, copyright is on an expression, not on a concept. i.e., If we
both go white-water rafting through the Grand Canyon, there is no way
my copyrighted book on the trip prevents you from expressing yourself
in your book regarding the trip.
Patent is an other issue, but the vast wealth of prior art where
computer systems use LCD outputs to display internal data would make
the patentability of this process questionable. But I've seen some
pretty screwy patents.
"Ripping off a UI element" is wrong. Creating a UI element inspired by
the iTunes element should be OK.
Just my $0.02
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