Wired News on the Apple’s recent legal activity

Like most Mac sites (yes, there are other sites out there that cover Apple) we here at TUAW have been watching Apple’s recent legal activity against three websites very carefully. No one wants to be sued by a company that they respect (or by any company).

Adam Penenberg, writing for Wired News, has an excellent article up laying out what is at the heart of the matter. Namely, it doesn’t matter if the websites in question are run by journalists or Harvard undergrads, rather what they reported is in question. If they reported on information gained illegally  (like, oh, someone breaking a non disclosure agreement about a future product) then they are in the wrong. Some point out that this protection of trade secrets will hinder whistleblowers, like those that spoke out against Big Tobacco. However, the judge in the case makes clear that there is a big difference between people acting to correct hazards versus someone wanting to get a scoop on the latest and greatest from a computer company.

I can’t do the article justice, so go read it, I think it may be the best write up I have seen so far.