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Apple has sent an email to Apple Authorized Business Agent (AABA) participants announcing the end of the program (MacNN).

"We appreciate your contribution to Apple's business as part of the Apple Business Agent program. Unfortunately, after careful consideration, we have decided to end this program. In accordance with section 12 B(i) of the Authorized Business Agent Agreement ('Agreement'), Apple is notifying you that your Agreement will be terminated effective January 1, 2008."

"Personally, I never took this program too seriously because I know from experience that Apple makes these types of about-face moves at a moment's notice," one member told MacNN. "Historically, time and again, Apple [has] proven to be loyal only to Apple, disregarding the needs of the individual resellers and evangelists who built Apple from the ground up and stuck with them through their lean times."

Previously, program participants were barred from enrolling Apple's online Apple Store referral program—that's now open to them.

The AABA program was begun in 2005.

Editor's note: Apple has a long history of turning its back on independent evangelists and third-party resellers. Is anyone surprised by this move?

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