Apple removes cable maker Monster from MFi program in wake of Beats lawsuit
Electronics maker Monster is no longer allowed to manufacture licensed "Made for iPhone" accessories and must stop selling its current stock by October, having been booted from Apple's certification program following a January lawsuit against Apple subsidiary Beats.
Monster was informed of Apple's decision last month, according to the Wall Street Journal. The license was reportedly withdrawn because a tie-up between the two firms was "no longer 'mutually beneficial.'"
Monster sued Beats in January of this year, alleging that Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre essentially stole Beats from Monster and its CEO, Noel Lee. Monster designed the first iterations of Beats headphones, and manufactured many of the early models.
Through the suit, Monster and Lee are seeking putative damages. They argue that Lee's stake --?which was at five percent as late as 2013 before being drawn down to nothing -- should be worth at least $100 million following Apple's $3 billion acquisition of the company.
Monster general counsel David Tognotti told the Journal that his firm's business would be substantially impacted by the revocation of its Apple license, saying that nearly 25 percent of its products were manufactured under the MFi program, trigger to more than $12 million in license payments to Apple since 2008.
"It shows a side of Apple that consumers don't see very often," Tognotti told the paper. "Apple can be a bully."
Monster was informed of Apple's decision last month, according to the Wall Street Journal. The license was reportedly withdrawn because a tie-up between the two firms was "no longer 'mutually beneficial.'"
Monster sued Beats in January of this year, alleging that Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre essentially stole Beats from Monster and its CEO, Noel Lee. Monster designed the first iterations of Beats headphones, and manufactured many of the early models.
Through the suit, Monster and Lee are seeking putative damages. They argue that Lee's stake --?which was at five percent as late as 2013 before being drawn down to nothing -- should be worth at least $100 million following Apple's $3 billion acquisition of the company.
Monster general counsel David Tognotti told the Journal that his firm's business would be substantially impacted by the revocation of its Apple license, saying that nearly 25 percent of its products were manufactured under the MFi program, trigger to more than $12 million in license payments to Apple since 2008.
"It shows a side of Apple that consumers don't see very often," Tognotti told the paper. "Apple can be a bully."
Comments
Pot calling the kettle black...
At least Apple's product model isn't based on convincing people that a $100 cable is better than a $2 one.
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090106/1546523298.shtml
They actually tried suing a group of Trick-or-Treaters too. Pathetic.
They argue that Lee's stake --?which was at five percent as late as 2013 before being drawn down to nothing -- should be worth at least $100 million following Apple's $3 billion acquisition of the company.
What does this mean? If Lee's stake in Beats was drawn down to nothing prior to the Apple buyout, how can he be owed anything?
"Apple can be a bully" is an sane person saying "Monster can be stupid".
Wait, who is the really stupid one, the one who advised Monster to sue Beat (a subsidiary of Apple)? It was her lawyer/Counsel.
Oh, but wait again, who get paid for Monster to sue Apple? My apology, the stupid one was indeed Monster.
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/
Oh crap , didn't see that coming, duh , total Idiots
Anti-competitive. Bad Apple. Where’s the government when you need them to slap the bully? Maybe Michael Bromwich can stop this illegal act before it damages Monster any further.
Well, that’s what the iHaters and trolls will say. I’m surprised we haven’t read it yet.
Monster is an infamous bully:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/
Yep, and this article too,
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130203/23380821872/monster-cable-finds-itself-other-side-trademark-case-still-losing.shtml
Here is the funniest thing ... the huckster Noel Lee got totally taken advantage of by Jimmy Iovine and signed a really crappy contract. Sad part to me is that Beats original partner, SLS, probably would have built good headphones, rather than the overpriced crap that Monster came up with.
http://gizmodo.com/5981823/beat-by-dre-the-inside-story-of-how-monster-lost-the-world
Monster is an infamous bully:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/legal/mcp/
Blue Jean Cable Response
Holy Crap! That is the best KMA letter I have ever read.
http://gizmodo.com/5981823/beat-by-dre-the-inside-story-of-how-monster-lost-the-world
that gizmodo story is hilarious.