Apple seems to us outside developers like a monolithic organization with a coherent policy on all things app-related. But the truth is that it's a collection of thousands of people and many policies that have to keep pace with the times. Certainly they need a much more coherent policy on matters such as this one, or at least a more coherent explanation for the apparent ridiculousness of their position.

My guess is that one of two things happened: 1) Some other developer or developers submitted an app after Airfoil Speakers Touch 1.0 was already approved that abused Apple's trademarks, and a decision maker at Apple decided that the only way to manage the issue was to enforce a stricter policy on all new submissions; 2) A personnel change caused a new manager or perhaps lawyer to get involved, and they decided that a change was necessary in order to avoid the possibility of (1).

I don't mean to defend Apple here. Their policy, or their ability to explain their policy, or both, have clearly failed. I salute RA's decision to vote with their feet -- that sort of move by a developer of their renown is just the sort of thing that could help bring some reform.