Comments on: A Day Without Lawyers

By: Dana Nieder

Dana Nieder — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:20:47 +0000

The statement by SFY mentioning the proposed business solutions from PRC can be seen here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=398855423483079&id=306312252737397

By: Astrin Ymris

Astrin Ymris — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 20:49:33 +0000

Really? Where did SFY say this?

One of the most frustrating things about this battle is that all the discussions are going on behind closed doors, with each side pointing to the OTHER guy as the Evil Guys Who Stole Maya’s Voice.

Whichever side wins in court, the ultimate losers are the children whose language development is being put on hold for however-many-years it takes for the court case to be resolved. And with whoever loses sure to appeal…

ARRGH!!! Can’t they just create an escrow account to collect royalties, then award the proceeds to whoever wins once it’s all over? That way, the app will stay available to kids who need it in the meantime.

By: Will

Will — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:41:58 +0000

According to SFY the “business solutions” all involved shutting down the app which is unacceptable to SFY.

By: Will

Will — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:41:06 +0000

I am trying to get people interested in an HTML5 version of an AAC app. And it would work offline as well as the files are cached on the device. Or you can wrap the HTML5 code in PhoneGap project in order to create an actual app for iOS, Android, etc in case you need device features (accelerometer, camera, etc).

By: Will

Will — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:41:21 +0000

I’m willing to work on an open source app to help the situation. you can do a lot with HTML5 nowadays, for web-based apps that work on all platforms. Or wrap them in Phonegap if you need more involved features.

By: Charles Chapman

Charles Chapman — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 01:39:48 +0000

I stated my take on this in the Daily Kos Diary, Apple, Software Patents, AAC Systems, and the Silencing of Maya, that I posted under my screen name there, "David Hume." Also linked at the "Website" link above.

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:09:51 +0000

Thank you for the update on this. I finally got my daughter’s school to agree to look into AAC for her, and SFY was the first one I was going to ask about after reading about it here. So a few weeks ago I downloaded the (very limited) free trial onto my iPad. A few days later when I clicked for the full app, it was not available. It must have literally just been taken down.
Now I’m not sure what to do. I need to get my daughter started ASAP (so I can prove to the school that she IS ready, and so it’s all in place before the school year starts) I wish both companies would think rationally enough to come to an agreement, but unfortunately even if they do it won’t happen in time for us. It’s frustrating because this seemed like it would have been a good fit for my daughter.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 18:34:03 +0000

I completely agree Rob. Nice post.

By: Astrin Ymris

Astrin Ymris — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 17:32:55 +0000

PRC’s website claims that they tried to negotiate with Speak For Yourself about “business solutions”, but SFY wasn’t having any of it. SFY’s website calls the lawsuit “baseless”, so that tentatively supports PRC’s contention that SFY is unwilling to cooperate with any profit-sharing agreement.

I agree that Apple could have left the App up until the court suit was decided, but PRC may have feared that would effectively give SFY the real world victory, because what school system is going to spring for a PRC device when they can get by with an iPad? The only market that would leave for PRC are users who need an eyegaze system, at least until the court case is decided.

I dunno, Rob, do you think your Fancy Pants Author status would enable you to act as a mutually-respected mediator between PRC and SFY? ;-D

By: Travis

Travis — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:42:52 +0000

This whole tragedy incenses me. It should drive most software developers to no longer produce their applications solely on the iPad platform. In fact, other mediums like Android and Windows Mobile should be considered first and the iPad product issued LAST. Apple is far too draconian and ignorant to continue this blind loyalty to their product.