EFF unseals documents showing Apple sues first, investigates never

Anyone remember Asteroid? No, not the game, the rumored Firewire-based GarageBand add-on. Well do you remember the handful of Mac rumor sites that got in big trouble for blabbing on said doodad? The Electronic Freedom Foundation has taken up the cause, and rightly so. According to recently unsealed documents (link to PDF), the EFF has learned Apple did only the most rudimentary checks before deciding to release the hounds lawyers. Would you call checking email only (using Spotlight no doubt), and just one file server a thorough investigation? Seriously. Maybe they should hire some folks from the RIAA to learn how to really snoop on people.

Where did this thing go anyway? Seems to me that, once again, it's a sticky situation. Apple has the right to protect trade secrets. Journalists and citizens have the right to free speech. In this particular case I'd like to know what damages have been incurred. Do you see Microsoft rushing to market with an "Asteroid killer?" Let it go guys, just let it go.

[via MacNN]