One of the intriguing products of the new iPhone economy was “[I Am Rich](http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/8/apple-s-iphone-app-approval-mouse-falls-off-treadmill-buy-the-1000-app-that-does-nothing-aapl-),” a program that promised nothing but bragging rights and apparently delivered a conundrum for Apple.
Many believe the only reason for pulling this product from the Applications Store was because someone might “accidentally buy it.” I love [Steven Frank’s analysis of this problem](http://stevenf.com/archive/on-the-app-store.php):
> You have to be dumber than a box of dried-out paintbrushes to “accidentally purchase” something, and even if you’re unwilling to accept personal responsibility for your own actions, it should be an open-and-shut case of giving the unwitting user a refund and moving on.
Of course, people “accidentally buying it” isn’t the reason for pulling an application like this, even with John Gruber’s logical business decision for [pulling a product with a high return rate](http://daringfireball.net/linked/2008/08/07/i-am-rich). Apple’s most likely reason to nip this idea in the bud? **Stem the tide of copycats.**
As soon as the word got out that [Heinrich was able to profit $5,600 from a few hours labor](http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/08/iphone-i-am-ric.html), we would have been treated to the $899 “I’m Rich” application which displays a blue gem. Then, hours later, the $799 dollar “Phat Pimpin'” application which displays an jingling gold chain and flashing diamond-encrusted dollar sign. And, eventually, when the horse has been beaten to death, there will be free versions.
If there’s anything we’ve learned on the internet, it’s that [a unique, interesting and utterly original idea](http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/index-orig.php) that can actually work once will be [mindlessly duplicated en masse](http://www.google.com/search?q=buy+pixel+ads) by people who don’t get it.
Apple removed “I Am Rich” only because they didn’t want to add a new category for “[Status Symbols](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspicuous_consumption).”
