Mac clone e-commerce site down
April 17, 2008
Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — After the news spread earlier this week about the unauthorized Mac clone, called the Open Computer, news reports and the public were quick to call into question what right the Miami-based company, Psystar, had to market such a machine. In an interesting turn of events over the past two days, it seems the portion of Psystar’s site that sells the computer is conveniently shut down. But is the story really what the company is making it out to be?
According to a report by Information Week, the clone company say that not only is it a minor glitch in their e-commerce system, the problem is only temporary. A statement on Psystar’s website claims that its internet store is unavailable for more transactions “because ‘we are currently unable to process any credit card transactions.’ Psystar did not provide an explanation for the problem. Despite the closure of its online store, Psystar is continuing to advertise its Mac clone.”
Although future orders cannot be accepted through Psystar’s site currently, they claim to be fulfilling orders that were submitted prior to the e-commerce site’s closure.
Although the story may should curious, another detail released this week makes the excuse look even more ambiguous. “Psystar changed the name of its Mac clone from OpenMac to Open Computer earlier this week — perhaps in response to anticipated legal pressure from Apple. Apple’s end user license agreement forbids the installation or use of Leopard on third party hardware.”
A representative from Psystar who would only refer to himself as “Robert” claims that the manufacturer has no qualms with being taken to court if need be. During a telephone interview with Information Week, “Robert” stated, “we’re not doing anything wrong.”
In fact, “Robert” seems to already have Psystar’s defense firmed up and gave this compelling reaction according to Information Week: “‘Psystar may be willing to have its right to sell Mac clones tested in court, Robert implied. “What if Microsoft [sic] said you could only install Windows on Dell [sic] computers?’ he said. ‘What if Honda said that, after you buy their car, you could only drive it on the roads they said you could?’ he added.”
As of Wednesday, Psystar’s website is still functioning except, of course, for the e-commerce module. WiredPRNews.com will bring you more breaking news on the fight of the Mac as it happens.
news reporter
