According to The Wall Street Journal, former Beats hardware partner Monster is claiming it has been blocked from making headphones or other official peripheral devices for Apple products.
Apple’s Made For iPhone (MFi) licensing program gives hardware manufacturers “components, tools, documentation, technical support, and certification logos needed to create AirPlay audio accessories and electronic accessories that connect to iPod, iPhone, and iPad.”
Monster has been making headphones under the MFi program since 2005.
Monster was reportedly banned from the program due to its standing lawsuit against Beats, where Monster claims it has been cheated from income on the hardware it helped create.
Monster was reportedly removed from the MFi program effective May 5, and general counsel David Tognotti says Apple’s lawyers told him it was because the relationship was no longer “mutually beneficial.”
Existing Monster MFi products can be sold through September.
➤ Apple Revokes Monster’s Authority to Make Licensed Accessories [The Wall Street Journal]
