The most hilarious "Amazon shut off our API access" email ever.
jasonbentley.posterous.com
jasonbentley.posterous.com
Notwithstanding that Collectorz made a bad mistake in basing part of their service on something Amazon explicitly doesn't allow, I thought it was a pretty good sorry message. He should have been more apologetic about making the mistake in the first place, but it's generally a very open and frank message.
I'm coming around to the idea that he probably shouldn't have included the message from Amazon, but a serious, honest mea culpa is certainly in order.
"That's it for now. I really apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but I hope you understand that this is fully beyond our control."
...because I've never written an Amazon API app, but even I know they have restrictions on usage wrt mobile apps.
We've recently been informed by Amazon, our service provider, that our products may infringe upon certain usage restrictions. As a result, the product you've purchased may experience decreased functionality. We are working with Amazon to resolve this issue before this happens.
If you experience any problems or error messages, please do not contact Amazon or Collectorz.com at this time. We will keep you updated as we learn more. Follow us on Twitter at [blah] and on Facebook at [blah].
We sincerely apologize for any inconveience.
Sincerely,
Blah."
Done.
I didn't find the first email hilarious, but this one for sure is less than or equal to that email in its hilarity.
I always explicitely ask API/sites (Amazon included) owners whenever I have a doubt.
What do we have here - Amazon terms:
"The use of a mobile application in conjunction with the Product Advertising API or the Associates Program without our express prior written approval is not permitted."
Which leads to this interpretation:
"Here's my understanding of the situation: - Amazon does not seem to allow the usage of any Amazon data in mobile applications, any data that was once downloaded from Amazon."
My interpretation is different: Amazon does not allow the usage of mobile xxx, unless express prior written approval.
So I really think this story tells us something: if you work with someone, get in touch, ensure the situation is clear, then go on with your project.
1) It's not after-the-fact forgiveness you'd be seeking, but forgiveness "during-the-fact". It's like indulgences - it's hard to make a sincere apology for a sin you're still committing.
2) The other party has them over a barrel. If Amazon doesn't accept the apology, it's not a broken friendship - they'll shut off the API and put the company out of business. It's only a sound strategy to Beg Forgiveness if you can survive the consequences of a refusal to forgive. Consider copyright infringement - it's better to get permission up front than trust that it's fair use or that the owner won't care, because you can't survive the multi-million dollar lawsuit they can bring.
I am amazed to find all this about my email :-) I was just being frank and trying to be clear, upfront, before any possible disabling of our Amazon access (which has not happened yet).
My customers are used to lengthy, detailed emails. They respect and expect my honesty, good news or bad news.
I agree that I could (should?) have been more apologetic.
But please note that my iPhone apps are not using the Amazon API at all. Amazon claims that Amazon data is being used on a mobile device, that is, data that once has been downloaded from Amazon. Which should be rare, because we have our own online media databases and our Windows / Mac software only queries Amazon for barcodes that our not found in our own databases, as a fallback. The "violation" of the Amazon ToS (if any) is very minor and rare.
But yes, it IS a violation and I will have to deal with the consequences. And informing my customers was the first thing on my mind. Which I did, fast and with all details.