[alehul]

This is very true.

There was a recent incident in France in which people protested outside an Apple store for them to "pay their taxes."

Apple wasn't explicitly breaking the law, however customers are entitled to vote with their wallets, and showing their vote will likely have some effect on the company.

[jotm]

You're joking right? The tax deals and some protests will not affect Apple's bottom line in the slightest.

Customers vote with their uncaring brains, which will pull out the wallets just as they did before.

[alehul]

Clearly some customers are not uncaring.

I'm not saying that one protest will have a massive impact on Apple's bottom line; just that:

1. protesting is a sign that the tax issue is an area customers care about, and those out protesting are likely a very small minority of those who feel that way.

2. the act of companies' feigned goodwill for a net profit could extend to any area customers care about, including legal vs ethical tax practices.