The iPad Pulse reader is a sexy news aggregating app for the iPad that Steve Jobs featured in his keynote speech yesterday. But unfortunately, it was then pulled from the App Store a few hours later due to a complaint by the New York Times saying that the app was infringing its rights.
Due to the fact that the App costs $4 but collects publicly available RSS feeds, this has now been interpreted as a “commercial use” of those feeds and therefore a violation of the New York Times and Boston Globe‘s Terms of Use.
I bought the Pulse reader app as soon as it appeared in the Apple iPad App store and I use it every day to check my top feeds. It’s a real shame that something like this has affected its availability in the App store.
The Importance of RSS Feeds
RSS feeds have long been a staple for aggregating content from various sources into one convenient location. They allow users to stay updated with their favorite websites without having to visit each one individually. The Pulse reader app took this concept and added a visually appealing interface, making it easier and more enjoyable for users to consume news. However, the issue arises when these feeds, which are publicly available, are used in a paid app. This brings into question the balance between accessibility and commercial use.
The makers of the Pulse reader app are currently contacting Apple to see if they can get the reader back into the App Store. But this move by the NYT could be a starting point for more problems with other RSS readers with a price tag.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The legal and ethical implications of using publicly available content in a commercial product are complex. On one hand, the content is freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. On the other hand, when an app charges for aggregating this content, it enters a gray area of commercial use. The New York Times and Boston Globe argue that their Terms of Use are being violated, which could set a precedent for other content providers to follow suit.
This situation also raises questions about the future of news aggregation apps. If more content providers decide to enforce their Terms of Use strictly, it could limit the functionality and availability of such apps. This would be a significant loss for users who rely on these apps for their daily news consumption.
Moreover, this incident highlights the need for clear guidelines and agreements between content providers and app developers. A mutually beneficial arrangement could ensure that content providers are compensated for their work while allowing developers to create innovative products that enhance user experience.
In the meantime, users who have already purchased the Pulse reader app are left in a lurch. They can continue to use the app, but without updates and support, its functionality may diminish over time. This situation underscores the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of both the content being used and the platform on which the app is available.
Via Engadget
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