A number of bloggers and news sites are upset over a mass email sent by Apple to introduce them to Apple News, the new app for iOS that will deliver curated news stories, which will include custom layouts, photo galleries, and other features to iPhone and iPad users.
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 via 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!”
Many are concerned Apple’s email might wind up buried in a spam folder, or may be overlooked. This could lead to Apple’s including their content in Apple news without their knowledge or consent.
The email contains the following information:
When your RSS content is included in News, here are the terms that will apply:
- 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.
Apple News is one of the major new features in Apple’s upcoming iOS 9 release, so they are making the move to include as much content as possible when the new platform is launched. However, a number of publishers would have preferred that Apple had setup their inclusion in the service as an opt-in, in place of the opt-out route the company chose.
