We got a takedown from Apple today regarding the copy of Snow Leopard release 10A432 we previewed today. This points to Apple’s habit of tying up loose ends before an official release. The takedown reads:
To Whom It May Concern:
We represent Apple Inc. (“Apple”). It has come to our attention that the crunchgear.com website has posted Apple confidential trade secrets and copyrighted material in an article entitled “Preview: Snow Leopard (10A432)” located at http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/08/17/review-snow-leopard-10a432/.
While we appreciate the interest in Snow Leopard, the screenshots that have been posted in the article are confidential and subject to non-disclosure agreements between Apple and its developers. Dissemination of confidential information knowingly obtained or derived from someone in breach of non-disclosure obligations constitutes trade secret misappropriation. See, e.g., Cal. Civ. Code 3426.1(b)(2)(B)(iii). Some of the screenshots also depict works copyrighted by Apple, and copyright law prohibits the unauthorized display of copyrighted works.
Apple therefore requests that you take steps to immediately remove these screenshots.
The foregoing is not intended to be a complete statement of the facts, and shall not constitute a waiver of any of Apple’s rights or remedies, all of which are expressly reserved.
Please notify me by reply e-mail when you have complied with this demand, and feel free to contact me if you any questions or concerns.
We received a similar takedown when we posted pictures of the real iPod Nano back in the day. Therefore, we can only assume we’re working with an honest-to-Betsy real copy of Snow Leopard.
What does this mean? Not much. We do know that this release is nicely locked down and I haven’t had the same problems I experienced on earlier versions of the software. At least I know this version won’t blow up my Mac Pro.
So will you keep the screenshots up or remove them and e-mail Apple back? ;)
I don’t see how this proves it’s the GM. Of course it’s a real copy of Snow Leopard. Apple has been distributing real copies of Snow Leopard for a year now. The question is not whether it is real, but whether it is actually a final product.
IMO, a case could be made for just the opposite. Apple doesn’t want folks reviewing and judging a product that they haven’t yet deemed as final
FWIW, I think (and hope) that 10A432 is indeed the GM. Pretty confident we’ll be seeing a press release tomorrow announcing the release date of August 28th (September 4 at the latest).
Screenshots of Apple’s new operating system are not protected by copyright law as it pertains to software. Copyright laws, in regards to software, basically protect the software code, not images of the software in use. Nothing is being infringed on here.
Apple has no legal ground to issue a take-down notice.
The software is covered by an NDA, so o course Apple do have legal grounds for a takedown notice.
The copyright thing however, is likely to be BS.
Yeah, but if Crunchgear has not signed an NDA, then even the mighty Apple will have a hard time seeking damages. Right? What damages are there?
And as far a take down notices, they are generally reserved for copyright violations – which, of course, is not an issue here.
Tell’ em they’re deaming!
Not subject to the NDA and outside the jurisdiction of the Cal. Civ. Code.
Have you read the Cal. Civ Code, and if so how does it pertain to a company that has not signed NDA agreements and is not causing any damages to Apple? Screenshots are still up. I guess CrunchGear told Apple they are dreaming.
The picture of smug white guys proved it was genuine.
After burning an install disk of Snow Leopard (build 10A432) per Apple dev. instructions – the install went just fine. Apple apps. worked very smoothly, but… None of my favorites would run e.g. amule, VLC, Viewit, Skype, etc.
‘guess I’ll just have to downgrade (back to 10A421a) and wait until official SL versions are available.
…suggestions?
J.
My phone? – iPhone!
All my apps worked fine. Not sure what was up with your install.
RE: John Koester
If they’re not working, you’ve obviously done something wrong. What version of VLC are you running? 1.0.1?
Did you do a clean install? lots of whining on your part and very little information about your setup.
Windows 7 will be coming out soon so Microsoft is probably looking high and low for some more ideas to rip off, its only natural for Apple to try to protect their OS, Microsoft staff are probably studying that page as I type this.
Hm, are you sure that this is not another clever mock up of the box? 10A432 still seems a little too crashy for a GM build…