Gentleman Jack.!

The most admired company in the world is Apple Inc according to most people across the world and also according to this survey and most of my friends, fervently, agree. I tend to disagree primarily because of my views on patent battles and the ill effects the judgments from these lawsuits have on innovation and customer choices. I strongly feel that second place holder Google Inc deserves the first place because of their attitude towards technology, contribution and support to open source projects and trying to live up to their "Don't Be Evil" tag. 

Boxy Bottle and Black Label

Well, my point here ain't about who among these two companies are the most admirable and I still obviously consider my Apple 'fanboi' friends as friends!

It is about the makers of the 'best selling whiskey in the world', the owners of the brand called Jack Daniels, shipped in a boxy bottle and black label. They just became darlings to many across the world and was admired even by people who abhor alcohol.

Spot the differences in the design!

The reason. The traditional black label (not to be confused with the Johnnie Walker Black Label which is a Scotch!) on the boxy bottle of the Tennessee whiskey inspired/was adapted/copied as his book cover by author Mr. Patrick Wensink (or his publishers or both) in his book, Broken Piano for President.

In an age where litigation between the companies in the most admired list are a daily occurrence around the world, the distillers did something which has never been done in modern history (to the best of my knowledge). Excerpts from their letter to the author is shown below.

Excerpts of letter by brand owners to the author.

Shouldn't the companies in the 'most admired companies' list be learning a lesson or two from the above letter. Wish they would.

An American Inc, a Korean Conglomerate and a Korean-American Judge

Judge Lucy Koh

Yet another judgement against Android by judge Lucy H Koh. She says and I quote, "I really don't think this is a trial about Steve Jobs", when dismissing Samsung's argument that Jobs' 'Thermonuclear' quote speaks of Apple's bias, motives and lack of belief in its claims. 

Obama with his mac

Obviously it ain't a trial against him but then when other Judges like Chicago Federal Judge Richard Posner agrees its fair game to include Steve Jobs' quotes why would Judge Koh do the opposite. Being the Korean-American she is, she doesn't have to side with Samsung but she should at least be sincere when dealing with an electronics giant from Korea rather than being corrupt or biased as being alleged around the world. The fact that she and her spouse are active in the current administration with Barack Obama at the helm, who incidentally is a mac lover and Jobs' admirer is worrying.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO

I personally feel patent lawsuits take us nowhere and seriously hamper innovation. Apple does get its share of profits by charging a premium over its products for its 'innovation', which occasionally were stolen ideas as admitted by Steve Jobs. Why raise the rhetoric now? Given that Tim Cook prefers to 'settle rather than battle', I believe Apple is doing all this to keep alive the Jobs' legacy of waging the battle.

The war might never be won and war has always been a setback to development.