The group would like you to print out their questionnaire, book a 10 minute slot at your local genius bar (or at any of the 217 Apple Stores in 7 countries worldwide), and start drilling the genius with hard-hitting corporate policy and DRM specific questions. “For each question, give them (the Genius) a score between 1 and 32, with 1 being a really bad answer, and 32 being an answer that really showed insight into the restrictive practices of the iPhone,” they explain.

“The total score will be out of 160 — the IQ level of Einstein, a certified genius. Rate your Genius’s iQ to the same score, and if they get over 130, they’re a genius — any lower than that, and they’re screwed. Glory and infamy awaits!”

They ask you to get the genius’ business card first before any questions take place. If the genius does particularly horrible, Defective by Design claims that they will send prizes and information accordingly. You’ll have the genius’ address and information because it’ll be on the business card you asked for.

Seems like an over-the-top elaborate plan to get information from Apple employees who know nothing to begin with. I myself was offered an Apple Genius position at one point. They offered $17/hour and full benefits and after hearing about the strict policies the company has in place, I turned the job down. I can confidently say that Apple employees at the lower levels (primarily the ones who spend their hours in a retail store, whether it be a flagship store or in a mall), know less about the company than the people that write about the ins and outs of Apple’s practices. If Defective by Design wants to get the real information, they need to interview people, analysts and columnists who have written, studied and dissected Apple’s business models. Not some low level Apple Genius who know what AppleScript is.

According to DBD.org, the 10-minute interaction between you and the Apple Genius should go as follows:

Start by introducing yourself to your Genius.

“I’m from the DRM elimination crew at DefectiveByDesign.org — I’d like to ask you a few questions about the defects Apple has designed into the iPhone 3G.”

1. Why do all developers have to submit their applications to Apple before they can be loaded onto an iPhone?

“Most smartphones, including those by OpenMoko, Nokia, RIM, Palm and even Microsoft, allow applications to come from a variety of sources, including free software developers. Free “as in freedom” software development requires that users and developers be able to share and modify the source code for programs they use. iPhone users are not permitted by Apple to share or load modified versions of programs distributed through the App Store — even when a program’s developer wants users to be able to do this! Apple markets itself as empowering, alternative technology — How does Apple plan to support free software development?”

2. Why does iTunes still contain so much DRM-laden music?

“Services like Amazon, eMusic, Napster, Rhapsody, Play.com and 7digital are all selling music without DRM. A typical response to this might be that Apple has no option to sell media without DRM, but this is simply untrue. Jobs is the largest individual shareholder at Disney, and he could insist that its films be DRM-free. Apple should be leading the way to promote DRM-free music, but instead is lagging behind. What is Apple doing to fix this? If it really is the RIAA’s fault, can you tell me specifically what the RIAA said to Jobs when he asked for the ability to sell DRM-free music?”

3. The iPhone 3G has GPS support. How can users be sure that the GPS cannot be used to track their position, without their permission?

“When the only thing preventing the GPS from being used is software, and the software in question is known only to Apple, why should iPhone users trust Apple? There is a privacy agreement, but how would I ever know that the agreement was violated?

4. In ‘Thoughts on Music’, Steve Jobs said, “it is useful to remember that all iPods play music that is free of any DRM and encoded in ‘open’ licensable formats such as MP3 and AAC”.”

“If Jobs really wants to see open formats, why doesn’t the iPhone play Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Theora video and FLAC? These formats require no licensing costs, and are not encumbered by patents. How does Apple plan to support these formats in the future? Will Apple approve applications for the App Store that support these formats?”

5. Last question. Why can the iPhone 3G only be activated by Apple and AT&T?

“In the United States, the Register of Copyrights has ruled that consumers have the right to unlock their phones and switch to a different carrier. How does Apple plan to remedy this discrepancy?”

NEXT STEPS

Give your Genius their score, your contact information (if you want) and your handout, along with any additional feedback you have about the defects in iPhone 3G. Thank them for their time, and quickly and politely leave the store. Outside the store, distribute some of the flyers and spend some time talking to people about these issues.

Let us know how it went by sending an email to info@defectivebydesign.org with your Genius’s information, score, and your comments.

Defective by Design.org via Apple Insider

Related posts:

1. Give Your iTunes Genius A Few Weeks Before You Complain About It
2. All Existing iPod Classics to Get Genius Playlist Feature
3. Apple Drops Remote Dekstop 3.2.2; Remote Control iPhone App Gets Genius