Two tracker services shutter, following Apple's DMCA takedown
Apple reportedly issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice to iPhone-Check, saying the service violated Apple's terms of use.
Founder Mordy Tikotzky shut down Apple-Tracker and iPhone-Check after Apple issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice on the latter site. Both services helped consumers track down the availability of Apple products.
Apple-Tracker posted the alleged takedown notice, showing that an Apple attorney from the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend and Stockton LLP requested that iPhone-Check be taken down.
"I have a good faith belief that the the Web site identified by URL below is unlawful because, among other things, the page scrapes and collects data from apple.com in violation of the Apple.com Internet Service Terms of Use," the attorney wrote to the service's founder Mordy Tikotzky.
CNET previously reported on iPhone-Check and its features.
Tikotzky launched both services earlier this year. Apple-Tracker, along with iPhone-Check, allowed users to input a zip code and subsequently find out whether an iPhone was in stock at local retail stores. The tool was available in the US and scraped Apple's retail store site to identify inventory availability.
In a statement on Apple-Tracker, Tikotzky expressed his displeasure with shutting down the Apple-Tracker as well, but said he was doing so because he didn't want to fight Apple in a legal battle:
I've deciced (sic) to turn off the site. I'm not doing this because I want to, but rather because I received a DMCA takedown notice from Apple. I'm not really interested in picking a fight with apple so..... I guess it's time to just say good bye. Before I go though I just wanted to says thanks to all of you for the nice comments and emails that you've sent in the last few weeks. It was fun while it lasted.
(Via The Verge)