Update: Louis has published an update where he explains the situation in better detail. You can watch it here. In the video he confirms that he was contacted by Apple due of his use of "schematics". He isn't sure what will happen with the situation, but is able to report that there isn't currently a lawsuit filed. The situation is being handled by his lawyer and won't reach a point of certainty for at least a few more days.
Original Story: Louis Rossmann is one of many YouTubers who share their work life with the internet. As the owner of an electronic repair shop in New York, he offers a unique angle to viewers that includes engineering instruction with philosophy thrown in for good measure.
Most recently he has grown in popularity with the release of anti-Apple videos. One in particular, aptly titled 'Why I don't use Apple products', has over 670,000 views. The high viewership of these videos has thrust his subscriber base from mere thousands to over 160,000, making him one of the most well-known YouTubers in his field.
Apple isn't happy about it.
His latest video, titled 'i have no title for this', is deep, cryptic, and concerning. He spends the first few minutes speaking about his upbringing and how it has made him a strong person, an attribute which will supposedly be of vital importance in the coming months.
Although he states that he isn't allowed to share what's going on, he alludes to the details with the following:
- @6:52– Louis informs viewers that they can download YouTube videos.
- @7:41 – Louis mentions that YouTube channels have a "finite lifespan", often because a large corporation has the power and money to shut them down.
- @8:42 – Louis shares that he's happy that he's live a difficult life so that he can be strong for the immense challenge that is ahead.
- @10:06 – Louis shares that he is going to have to fight from this point onward.
- @11:22 – Louis states that all his videos may soon be gone.
- @11:32 – Louis mentions that his business may disappear.
Taking all this into consideration, it's clear that Louis has been threatened by Apple. In this case, the company is likely upset that not only does Louis publicly condemn its policies to a growing subscriber base, but shares how to repair its hardware without going through Apple Support.
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The thing that Apple doesn't want you to know is that it intentionally makes self-repair remarkably difficult. Its designs have not only been unconventional, but the company provides no hardware blueprint to the public, unlike most of its competitors. As a result of this, consumers are in many cases left with no choice but to go to Apple Support whenever their Apple device has an issue. They are then charged extraordinary prices for what at times can be simple work—I paid a ridiculous amount of money for a simple repair a year ago.
Louis represents the growing tide against Apple's commonly "anti-consumer" strategies, one that has become an increasingly large portion of its revenue stream. He shares why he thinks it's wrong and provides solutions, both in the way of instructional DIY repair videos, as well as a business that provides Apple repairs at affordable prices.
Fans of Louis, including myself, are left wondering what the future entails; Louis himself probably doesn't even know. A few of those who are aware of the situation have begun downloading his videos to provide a record of the channel in the event that it is taken down in the future.
Even then, creating backups of his videos doesn't accomplish much. People could publish copies of his videos across the internet, but if Apple is successful, free speech will have lost yet another major battle.
