sample policy abuse

[mirlo]

Got this message from ADI the other day:

Providing samples quickly to our customers is an important part of the design process. Although we will continue this practice, the exploitation of the ADI samples program has necessitated a change in the online ordering process. Beginning immediately, online orders will only be accepted from valid email addresses with domain urls that originate from a company (example: joe.smith@ABCcompany.com) or from an educational institution (example: joe.smith@ABCuniversity.edu). ADI will no longer accept sample requests from accounts who have email addresses that have been created using third-party email providers, such as Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, and AOL.

• If you already have your corporate email registered with ADI and would
like to access your account, please click here.
• If you have forgotten your password please click here.
• If you do not have a corporate or educational email account registered
with ADI, please click here to register.

Those of you without company or education domain email addresses can contact ADI sales and distribution directly for free samples, or you may purchase them through Buy Online.

Thank you for your interest in Analog Devices' products. We look forward to working with you on your next design.

Yours,

ADI Webmaster

[mobyd]

This doesn't surprise me one little bit, and I expect it to spread to all the other manufacturers. Just look at the number of twits who sell ***5*** pieces of various On-Semi power devices on the trading post or EBAY. All it will do is make things harder for genuine developers.
M