Steve Jobs saying he's going to spend billions and billions on frivolous lawsuits should make still independent developers wary about getting boxed into his walled "ecosystem". Perhaps it's time to revise the laws on "thought property" to declaw the patent and copyright industries. We need more competition, not more "I have a lot of money therefore I get even more money" monopolies. Geez. Patent law is just turning into a subsidy for Silicon Valley.
Of course, all of those lawsuits might also make independent developers think that the only "safe" place is his walled "ecosystem". Yes, you pay taxes and you live at the pleasure of the king, but at least most of the time he's more interested fighting with the enemies outside than the subjects inside.
