I received an interesting email today from a very astute reader who clearly understands how important it is to read licensing agreements.  The reader asked:

Am I reading Apple's iPhone Developer agreement correctly? From my reading Apple reserves the right to copy any features or functionality in an App that someone (I for example) has developed without any compensation or restrictions.

Yes, dear reader, indeed it does.  With an important exception.  Section 9 states:

9. Apple Independent Development. Nothing in this Agreement will impair Apple’s right to develop, acquire, license, market, promote or distribute products, software or technologies that perform the same or similar functions as, or otherwise compete with, any other products, software or technologies that you may develop, produce, market, or distribute. In the absence of a separate written agreement to the contrary, Apple will be free to use any information, suggestions or recommendations you provide to Apple pursuant to this Agreement for any purpose, subject to any applicable patents or copyrights.

This clause discloses Apple's sinister plans to steal your hard app work and make it their own.  With one exception, namely unless you have obtained a patent or copyright on your app.

Which begs the question, can you get a patent or copyright on your app or portions of it?  Good question.  Maybe one worth asking an apps lawyer... 😉