There was nothing too nefarious about Apple coming out with their new "Made for iPod" seal of approval program a fewmonths ago%26#8212;it was pitched as a convenient way for consumers to know for sure that the accessories theyre buying willwork with their iPod%26#8212;but according to CNET there is a dark side to the program: Apple is now demanding a tithe of 10%of the wholesale price of any Made for iPod accessory. No one is forcing anyone to participate in the program (its notlike you need Apples permission to make an iPod accessory), and its completely normal (and expected) formanufacturers to drop a little coin for the licensing rights for a logo or to pay for the certification process, but a10% cut? Sounds less like Apple is trying to look out for consumers (who may end up paying a little more for Made foriPod accessories unless manufacturers decide to take a hit on their margins) and more like theyre just looking for away to get a nice chunk of the rapidly-growing market for third-party accessories without actually having to sellanything extra themselves.
