Comic publisher pushes Apple for ratings system

An Irish comic publisher is lobbying Apple Inc. to embrace content ratings after its graphic novel was dropped from the company’s App Store.
Infurious Comics is pushing for a ratings system after Apple rejected “Murderdrome,” which the publisher describes as a “darkly humorous strop” that had been offered free through the popular storefront for iPhone and iTouch devices. The first episode of the strip, which can be viewed on Infurious’ Web site, depicts scenes from “the deadliest sport known to man” and features sword-wielding competitors in a death match.
The ban “is due to the part of the SDK that suggests content must not offend anyone in ‘Apple’s reasonable’opinion,” Infurious posted on its company blog. “Here at Infurious, we would love to work with Apple to ensure a content rating system can be put in place to allow material that is no more offensive than many of the R-rated films available to download on iTunes.”
Apple several weeks ago drew flak from all sides for “I Am Rich,” a $1,000 application that does nothing but illuminate the device’s screen with a red jewel. At least two customers complained after downloading the offering, and Apple’s move to pull the application spurred other critics to call for a completely open App Store with no content guidelines.
Infurious is imploring users to sign an online petition that will be forwarded to Apple.