It's not something we've covered too closely to date, but there's no doubt about how close to him it strikes: a California appeals court decided against Apple today in the company's bid to force bloggers to turn over sources who leaked information about the Apple product codenamed "
Asteroid" way in 2004 (remember that?). This follows an
earlier ruling where the trial judge sided with Apple, after which the EFF intervened and appealed the case. Apple had argued that the websites in question, PowerPage and Apple Insider, were not entitled to the same rights as traditional journalists -- and even if they were, they still didn't have the right to protect sources who leaked trade secrets. But the appeals court roundly rejected both notions as contrary to California's reporter's shield law and the state Constitution, effectively stating that it wasn't Apple's place to decide what constitutes "legitimate journalism," and that Apple could have investigated the leak of trade secrets themselves without drawing the websites into the mix. The case also has signficant implications for ISPs, who now know that they don't have to reveal the contents of private emails if they receive a civil subpeona. Apple apparently hasn't offered any comment on the decision yet.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jesus @ May 27th 2006 2:04AM
i love apple to peices, they have great products...but they can be ass holes about certain things, like getting all the "i" websites closed down...
Vinay @ May 27th 2006 3:07AM
Finally, a sensible judgment from an American Court. Let's hope this is a positive trend.
Intrepid @ May 27th 2006 4:29AM
Apple attacking it's own fanboy run sites... That organisation really is crossing the line of "nazism". Next thing you know, they'll make us burn our PC's and we'll hang opposing CEO's in the streets.
Toby Parker @ May 27th 2006 6:17AM
what did asteroid turn out to be in the end??
SLy @ May 27th 2006 7:07AM
Apple now think that they're so special that we're all dying for leaked info.. Sorry to say but Apple is soooo insignificant in the PC market it's not even funny and the whole ipod craze will be a short-lived fad as mobile phones start having Gigs of memory.
They should be happy that we even bother.
0.02p
Jen @ May 27th 2006 8:31AM
The email issue is a different one. ISPs will still have to reveal the sources of emails sent in a harassing manner.
187 John Doe @ May 27th 2006 10:40AM
Last I remember "real jouranlists" were quoting blogs.
Petey Boi @ May 27th 2006 10:50AM
iNazi
crescentdave @ May 27th 2006 8:29PM
Court orders Apple to "think differently."
Freedom of expression is reified.
pbase @ May 28th 2006 1:34AM
#7,
True, Apple will become insignificant, as would any company, if it rests on it's laurels.
But I think we can be certain that the company has further innovations in the pipelline.
To paraphrase Mr. Jobs, never dwell to long on your successes. Keep it moving.