Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:14416 comp.sys.apple:4887
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!pyramid!voder!apple!kurt
From: kurt@Apple.COM (Kurt Hasel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Apple vs the World
Message-ID: <7778@apple.Apple.Com>
Date: 25 Mar 88 05:46:50 GMT
References: <5480@well.UUCP> <5492@well.UUCP> <535@nunki.usc.edu> <9499@ism780c.UUCP>
Reply-To: kurt@apple.UUCP (Kurt Hasel)
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA
Lines: 52
Keywords: Apple Mac HP Microsoft Windows OS/2 New Wave Litigation
Summary: A thoroughly unofficial view from the inside


Let me state first that I *do* work for Apple but this is completely my
own opinion.  I have no first-hand knowledge of what Apple's intentions are
but (this being a free country and all) I do have a few guesses.

This issue so far has been a wee bit strange.  I am somewhat surprised by
some of the attitudes expressed on the net.  I wish to thank the two
sturdily-fingered typists who entered actual complaint and an exhaustive
legal background.  Whether you agree with whatever opinions they have 
expressed or not, they are to be commended for raising this discussion
above the "Yay Apple"/"Boo Apple" repartee of a great deal of the
commentary.

I have used the GEM environment and GEMpaint.  I used them the first time
I sat down behind a 386 and I never cracked a manual.  I have seen a version
of Windows on an AT and it was similar (only similar) to the Mac interface.
However, it was licensed by Microsoft.  That is the nub of the Microsoft 
part of the suit.  Apple says that Microsoft exceeded the licensing agree-
ment.  I have not seen Windows 2.03 (I believe that is the correct version
number) and all I have seen of the HP product is the screen comparison
where it looked like a lo-res Mac.  Not only am I no legal expert, but
I haven't actually seen the products involved so I don't know how closely
they match the Mac environment.  I have no idea as to the merit of the suit.

But then neither do most of the people who have been posting on this subject.
This is a source of some irritation to me.  The net is here for discussion
of hot topics and I'm not trying to step on anybody's free speech, but
let's try to keep things in perspective.  There have been people on the net
saying that Apple will win and win big.  For the sake of my stock purchasing,
let's hope so.  Others have been saying that Apple has made a big mistake
and I agree that that is a very real possibility.  I have no idea as to how
this is going to turn out.  It's up to the courts to decide.

This is where I pull out my Bic lighter for a small flame.  Some posters on
the net have been calling for a boycott of Apple and have sworn off Apple
products.  Why?  Because Apple has decided to exercise its legal rights as
an American corporation to try to sue the pants off the competition.  Isn't
that a bit of an overreaction?  That is what I mean by keeping things in
perspective.  If you don't want to buy Apple I'm sure you can find a better
reason.  There.  The Bic is now put away.  And if you still want to stick it
to Apple, the best way would be to buy Windows and New Wave.  That way, if
Apple wins the lawsuit you at least have the consolation have having some-
thing that works like a Mac.  :-)

I have only been on the net a little while, and this is the first time I
have gotten involved in anything the least bit controversial.  I'll just
have to wait and see if this is my baptism by flame.

I don't have a signature file yet so...     

Bye--Kurt

These have been my opinions, **NOT** those of Apple.