Judge denies request to release video of Steve Jobs deposition
Just one day after Apple emerged victorious in its iPod antitrust lawsuit, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that there was no overwhelming "public interest" in releasing videotaped deposition testimony of Steve Jobs taken a few months before his passing.
Earlier in the month, a trio of news organizations -- Bloomberg, CNN, and the AP -- filed suit seeking to have video of the deposition released. Apple naturally opposed the motion, arguing that it amounted to nothing more than exploiting a dead man for no beneficial reason whatsoever.
Rogers' reasoning reads in part:
The Court is mindful of the public interest in the video testimony at issue and in the importance of the presumption of public access to judicial records. The Court also recognizes the public policy concern raised by defendant, namely that if releases of video depositions routinely occurred, witnesses might be reticent to submit voluntarily to video depositions in the future, knowing they might one day be publicly broadcast. If cameras in courtrooms were not currently prohibited, the argument might have less weight. However, given the lack of authority approving such a release, the concern is well-taken that under the current rules, deponents have no expectation or notice that the videos will be disseminated beyond the presentation during trial.
If the video had been introduced as a trial exhibit, or if no objection had been lodged, the ruling on this motion might be different. In light of the present circumstances and the lack of legal authority justifying the Media Intervenors' request, however, the Court will not authorize the copying of the Jobs Deposition.
The ruling in its entirety can be read below, courtesy of Apple Insider.
Ruling Denying Media Intervenors Access to Jobs Deposition by Mikey Campbell
