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Technology and the Internet

No Discount on OS 8 for Clones, Apple Says

By Karen Kaplan
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Apple Computer said it will not offer discounts to customers who purchased Macintosh clones and now wish to upgrade to the Mac OS 8 operating system, released July 22. The troubled Cupertino company announced the decision Wednesday on the official Web site for its Mac OS Up-to-Date program. Power Computing, Umax Data Systems and Motorola all license the Macintosh operating system and use it to produce clones, which have cut into Apple’s computer sales. Apple, which is seeking higher licensing fees, is scheduled to meet with the clone makers next week. Phil Pompa, Umax vice president of marketing, said Umax will decide how to handle customer upgrade requests after the meeting. All customers can purchase an upgrade at the regular price of $99, an Apple spokesman said Thursday. The four companies are trying to agree on a licensing arrangement for Rhapsody, the next-generation Macintosh operating system, which Apple plans to release next year. Apple shares fell 69 cents to close at $22 on Nasdaq.

Technology and the InternetBusiness
Karen Kaplan

Karen Kaplan covers science and medical research for the Los Angeles Times. She has been a member of the science team since 2005, including 13 years as an editor. Her first decade at The Times was spent covering technology in the Business section as both a reporter and editor. She grew up in San Diego and is a graduate of MIT and Columbia University.

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