iPhone NDA dropped, developers rejoice
Apple has dropped the non-disclosure agreement ([effin'] NDA) for released iPhone software.
In a statement to developers on its website, Apple said they put the NDA in place because the iPhone OS includes proprietary Apple software they wanted to protect.
"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," the statement read.
Developers will receive a new agreement, sans-NDA, covering released software within a week or so. Unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released, according to the statement.
Apple also thanked everyone who provided "constructive feedback" on the issue.
The full text, after the jump, and an update.
[Via @chockenberry.]
To Our Developers
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.
Update: Craig Hockenberry of the Iconfactory, and developer of Twitterrific, has some special source code to share in celebration of this momentous occasion. You can tell he's been saving this one up.
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Apple has dropped the non-disclosure agreement ([effin'] NDA) for released iPhone software. In a statement to developers on its website,...
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Does this mean we can expect some OSS software?
Would be nice to just compile and install without Apple's Appstore restrictions. Been waiting for a good file manager and terminal for non-jailbroken iphones.
The important thing to note though is that the NDA hasn't actually been lifted yet!
I am starting a forum dedicated to iPhone OS development ( http://iphoneosforum.com ) but I won't let it go live until I can make sure that the posters on my forum will know what they can and cannot write about, i.e. until we know what the new agreement is. After that we will do our best to help everyone we can.
So if you get stuck while developing your next great iPhone App, if you want to help others sort out their problems, or if you just want to chat about iPhone related stuff, have a look at:
http://www.iphoneosforum.com
or
http://www.iphoneosforum.net
I believe Apple’s made the right decision again. I know it seems like they are a day late and a dollar short (actually the second part’s probably not true) but I appreciate thoughtful caution. I owned a very stable original iPhone since its release and traded up to a 3G when it went on sale.
I wrote about Apple and Job’s decision making abilities in a post on my blog at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/was-steve-jobs-right-with-iphone-10/
Rejoice!
Not just for iPhone/iTouch developers, but for the fact that Apple Inc's dropping of the NDA probably signals that several of their key patent applications have been granted, or are guaranteed to be.
Win-win, for Apple, developers and the most important set of all, we the users...
Since Apple decided to make the NDA less restrictive I put together a forum for people to discuss development:
www.appstoredevelopers.com
Now one thing I'm a little confused on, which we probably won't know until the letters are sent out. It says there's no NDA regarding "released" software. That refers to the iPhone OS software only, correct? Or does this mean a developer has to build and release their app before they can talk about it?
The latter wouldn't make much sense, but then again, this whole effin NDA didn't make sense until at least this point.
Fantastic, I've been keeping a list of developer forums waiting in the wings. In addition to the book, hopefully a good resource.
John
~~~~~~~
http://iPhoneDeveloperTips.com
http://forums.iPhoneDeveloperTips.com
Finally... Now watch the iPhone Dev sites pop up and maybe I can finally get some help on my app :)
October 01 2008 at 3:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDude... TUAW doesn't like work anymore on silly IE (6, I think...). Too bad... I guess I just have to go home to my Macs next time or bring my MBA or iPod Touch along...
October 01 2008 at 2:23 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGreat, but it's October, and where's push?
October 01 2008 at 1:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
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