Oct 1 2008
Apple drops the NDA on released iPhone apps. A great day for iPhone developers.
In A Message for iPhone Developers, Apple writes:
We have decided to drop the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for released iPhone software.We put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes many Apple inventions and innovations that we would like to protect, so that others don’t steal our work. It has happened before. While we have filed for hundreds of patents on iPhone technology, the NDA added yet another level of protection. We put it in place as one more way to help protect the iPhone from being ripped off by others.
However, the NDA has created too much of a burden on developers, authors and others interested in helping further the iPhone’s success, so we are dropping it for released software. Developers will receive a new agreement without an NDA covering released software within a week or so. Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released.
Thanks to everyone who provided us constructive feedback on this matter.
When asked to comment on the meaning and impact of this announcement, Mac and iPhone app developer August Trometer said, “One of best things about the Mac as platform is the tremendous developer community that’s built up around it. With the NDA being lifted, that same collaboration and sharing of ideas can occur with the iPhone. It’s truly a great day for iPhone developers.”
Collaboration + Inspiration = Innovation.
Note: