Apple zombies attack RealNetworks

RealNetworks has adopted elements of Apple's FairPlay code which allows songs bought from the RealPlayer Music Store to be played on the iPod. Real also launched a petition calling on Apple to stop using its monopoly powers of the music biz to stifle competition.

The petition had about 900 signatures but was scuppered by the many comments left by angry Apple users who are clearly hardwired to its PR department through their iPods.

The general theme of the objections is that Apple users do not want choice foisted upon them by RealNetworks.

As one user said: "If we wanted 'choices' like yours, they wouldn't have to be foisted on us. Most of us, given a real choice, would rather see you and your tactics go away. 'Competition' doesn't give you any right to reverse-engineer when you feel like it, but come down on those that hack into your IP rights. It's theft, pure and simple."

A Vole spinster could not have put it any better. People do not want choice, they just want ethical standards and a single product they know and love. However Realnetworks is not forcing iPod users to use its service, it claims it is just providing competition for Apple.

Other people filing comments make the very good point that RealNetworks was hypocritical to demand Apple free up its iPods when its own Rhapsody song shop doesn't support Macs.

The petition was soon taken down and replaced with a comments box, but Apple Zombies insisted on posting joke names and saying Real sucks a lot. µ