Apple faces writers wrath

A group of 22 Chinese authors have filed a claim against US technology group Apple, alleging its App Store sells unlicenced copies of their books, Chinese state media reported yesterday. The group, the Writers Rights Alliance, petitioned Apple last year to stop electronic distribution of the writers' books and had earlier persuaded Baidu, China's largest search engine, to stop publishing their material on its Baidu Library product. The writers are seeking 50 million yuan (Dh29.42 million) compensation from Apple, saying it was selling pirated versions of 95 books via its online store, Xinhua reported, without stating where the claim had been filed. "As an IP holder ourselves, we understand the importance of protecting intellectual property and when we receive complaints we respond promptly and appropriately," Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu commented yesterday.