EFF: Why we fight against Apple&#8217;s lawsuits

Earlier this month we reported that the Electronic Frontier Foundation will be representing Apple Insider and PowerPage in the lawsuit over the publication of information leaked regarding the Asteroid audio interface.

Kurt Opsahl from EFF blogs about why it’s important to defend the legal protections for media sources, regardless of whether that media is print journalism, blog, web site, or any other format. Opsahl argues (rightly, IMHO) that despite the recent advent of blogging and online journalism, these media should not be left out of the protection mechanisms afforded to information outlets, and should not be subject to compelled disclosure any more than the traditional print and broadcast media.

What do you think? Should the web sites that published trade secrets from inside informants be taken to task, and forced to reveal their sources? Or is the EFF in the right that the sites ought to receive journalistic immunity?

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Earlier this month we reported that the Electronic Frontier Foundation will be representing Apple Insider and PowerPage in the...

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Olivier

I'm wondering: what would happen if the New York Times published the secret recipe of Coca-Cola?

January 30 2005 at 11:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brian

How would it render NDA's invalid? The person who leaked the information is still very much liable and if Apple discovers who it was will can their ass and sue their pants off.

January 30 2005 at 11:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Duncan

I think they should be revealedCA law says that it's illegal to solicit someone to break an NDA, and it's pretty clear that's what happened hear. In any case, the possibilities of this case are interestingpotentially, it could render NDAs invalid _if_ you talk to a member of the press.

January 30 2005 at 1:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brian Parry

The sources should absolutely not be revealed. I have some sympathy for Apple wanting to keep secrets secret. I also have distain for the source (most likely an Apple employee). But the blog sites should not be held responsible - unless it can be proven they offer compensation for secrets.

January 30 2005 at 12:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brian Parry

January 30 2005 at 12:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply