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Publishers Upset Over Apple's Opt-Out Terms for Inclusion in iOS 9 News App
Apple recently sent a mass email to news publishers to introduce them to Apple News, an upcoming Flipboard-inspired app for iOS 9 that will deliver curated news and magazine stories with custom layouts, photo galleries, videos and animations optimized for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
The email has ignited some controversy in the news and blogging community over the past week, according to the BBC, which reports that some writers are disappointed about Apple's decision to automatically include a website's RSS feeds in Apple News unless they specifically opt out by replying to the email.
"Let me get this straight, Apple: you send me an e-mail outlining the terms under which you will redistribute my content, and you will just assume that I agree to your terms unless I opt out?" wrote Plausible Labs programmer Mike Ash on his personal blog. "This makes typical clickwrap EULA nonsense look downright reasonable by comparison. You're going to consider me bound to terms you just declared to me in an e-mail as long as I don't respond? That's completely crazy. You don't even know if I received the e-mail!"Some bloggers argue that not all publishers are guaranteed to see the email, which could easily be overlooked or buried in a spam inbox, leading to their content being featured on Apple News without their knowledge or explicit consent. Apple also has permission to place advertising next to or near a publisher's content without providing any compensation, and will pass on any legal fees to publishers.
Apple News is highlighted as one of the main features on the iOS 9 preview page, so it is no surprise that Apple is attempting to have as much content available on the platform at launch as possible. It is clear, however, that many publishers would have appreciated the terms of Apple News being set on an opt-in rather than opt-out basis. Apple so far has not commented on those concerns.You agree to let us use, display, store, and reproduce the content in your RSS feeds including placing advertising next to or near your content without compensation to you. Don’t worry, we will not put advertising inside your content without your permission.
You confirm that you have all necessary rights to publish your RSS content, and allow Apple to use it for News as we set forth here. You will be responsible for any payments that might be due to any contributors or other third parties for the creation and use of your RSS content.
If we receive a legal claim about your RSS content, we will tell you so that you can resolve the issue, including indemnifying Apple if Apple is included in the claim.
You can remove your RSS feed whenever you want by opting out or changing your settings in News Publisher.
Tags: Apple News, News Publisher
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44 months ago
If it's a public RSS feed, then is there really a problem with what's Apple's doing? They're just using content that's publicly available content and providing it to Apple users. They're not charging for it, nor are they redistributing content that's supposed to be behind a paywall.
To me it seems the email was just to let the publishers know that Apple is using the content that's already being provided and allowing the providers to opt-out if they wish. As long as Apple isn't claiming that they created the content (and giving credit to the creators) then I don't see what the problem is.
To me it seems the email was just to let the publishers know that Apple is using the content that's already being provided and allowing the providers to opt-out if they wish. As long as Apple isn't claiming that they created the content (and giving credit to the creators) then I don't see what the problem is.
44 months ago
Isn't that what rss is for? Why provide such a feed if you don't want anyone to use it? And didn't Flipboard do the exact same thing years ago? I'm just guessing here, please correct me if I'm wrong.
I'd be more annoyed if I was Flipboard, who seem to have been Sherlocked...
I'd be more annoyed if I was Flipboard, who seem to have been Sherlocked...
44 months ago
But... isnt this what RSS feeds are for?
Yeah, that doesnt sound very nice if you read there may be ads next to your stuff, but I mean, when I use an app that reads RSS feeds and displays ads.. whats different?
Yeah, that doesnt sound very nice if you read there may be ads next to your stuff, but I mean, when I use an app that reads RSS feeds and displays ads.. whats different?
44 months ago
The RSS feeds that Apple will be using to add content to Apple News is the same RSS feed that I, a regular guy, can parse and add into my own app right?
44 months ago
Isn't that what rss is for? Why provide such a feed if you don't want anyone to use it? And didn't Flipboard do the exact same thing years ago? I'm just guessing here, please correct me if I'm wrong.
I'd be more annoyed if I was Flipboard, who seem to have been Sherlocked...
If it's a public RSS feed, then is there really a problem with what's Apple's doing? They're just using content that's publicly available content and providing it to Apple users. They're not charging for it, nor are they redistributing content that's supposed to be behind a paywall.
To me it seems the email was just to let the publishers know that Apple is using the content that's already being provided and allowing the providers to opt-out if they wish. As long as Apple isn't claiming that they created the content (and giving credit to the creators) then I don't see what the problem is.
That's exactly what I was thinking. They're using the RSS feeds provided by the news sites.
44 months ago
It's funny to me that these companies put RSS feeds up themselves, published public content in a machine readable format to be combined in news feeds.
Apple makes an app that automatically uses those RSS feeds, which again are published by the content creators on purpose to make it easier for people to read their content.
And they lose their s**t. Do you want people to read your content or not? If you don't why are you still publishing RSS feeds?
Apple makes an app that automatically uses those RSS feeds, which again are published by the content creators on purpose to make it easier for people to read their content.
And they lose their s**t. Do you want people to read your content or not? If you don't why are you still publishing RSS feeds?
44 months ago
RSS = Really Simple Syndication
The whole purpose of RSS is to give Syndication... if you don't want to Syndicate.. don't have RSS turned on your page?
The whole purpose of RSS is to give Syndication... if you don't want to Syndicate.. don't have RSS turned on your page?
44 months ago
Go ahead and opt-out, publishers. Theres a 98% chance I'll never see your crap if you do.
44 months ago
Agree with others, it is a publicly available RSS feed so **** off. They should be thrilled Apple is including them in the app at all, thereby driving clicks to their websites. Talk about biting the hand.
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