“Online journalists who published secrets about Apple Computer Inc. filed an appeal Tuesday in a case that could have broad implications for the media,” The Associated Press reports. “A California judge ruled March 11 that three independent online reporters may have to provide the identities of their confidential sources and that they weren’t protected by ‘shield laws’ that usually protect journalists.”
AP reports, “In December, Apple sued 25 unnamed individuals, called “Does” and believed to be Apple employees, who leaked specifications about a product code-named ‘Asteroid’ to Monish Bhatia, Jason O’Grady and another person who writes under the pseudonym Kasper Jade. Their articles appeared in the online publications Apple Insider and PowerPage.”
“On Tuesday, attorneys representing the journalists filed an appeal, as expected. They argued that the judge’s ruling violated the First Amendment and that Apple should first subpoena its own employees or use sophisticated computer forensics to determine the sources of the leak before subpoenaing the journalists,” AP reports. “Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined specific comment on the appeal, but said: ‘Apple’s DNA is innovation, and protection of trade secrets is crucial to our success.'”
Full article here.
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