Apple, Think Secret, Bad PR And Bloggers Are Journalists

APPLE has settled a legal row with tip site Think Secret that will see the website closed.

The legal battle between Apple and the site blew up in January 2005 when Think Secret revealed details of the Mac Mini before its official unveiling.

Apple brought the lawsuit to make the fan site reveal who had leaked details about the cut-down computer.

By agreeing to shut down, the Think Secret site gets to preserve the anonymity of its sources.

Nick Ciarelli, Think Secret’s publisher, says: “I’m pleased to have reached this amicable settlement, and will now be able to move forward with my college studies and broader journalistic pursuits.”

Apple declined to provide details of the settlement but a spokesman said it was “happy to have this behind us”…

A California court initially sided with Apple but the hi-tech firm lost the case on appeal. The outcome of that said bloggers should be considered as journalists and subject to the same protections.

Suing your fans is not exactly great PR, especially for a brand that protrays itself as non-corporate and challenging…

Anorak

Posted: 21st, December 2007 | In: Twitterings Comment | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink