Lost iPhone investigation almost done
We could finally be nearing the end of the lost iPhone saga. Way back in April, police launched a probe into the alleged sale of the lost prototype iPhone 4 that was found in a bar near San Jose earlier this year, and CNET is now reporting that the investigation is almost over. Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe of California's San Mateo County says that the final report on the probe could be sent to his office in the next few weeks, at which point he'll look at what evidence was collected and see if charges need to be brought.Wagstaffe also says that multiple Apple employees were interviewed in the case, including Steve Jobs himself. Police also searched Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's house at one point (the phone was reportedly sold to Gizmodo by a college student who found it in the bar), but that warrant was withdrawn a while back, and the seized items were returned.
It's certainly possible that police could still bring criminal charges in the case, but given that the matter seems to have blown over (it's not like iPhone 4 sales were hurt by the leaks anyway), it seems unlikely that anyone will get arrested and charged. But we'll keep a lookout for the case closing anyway -- I'm sure there will be one or two documents coming to light that will provide a better look at exactly what happened. Stay tuned.
[via Mac Rumors]
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We could finally be nearing the end of the lost iPhone saga. Way back in April, police launched a probe into the alleged sale of the lost...
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I'm sure the prosecuting attorney has some motivation to discourage people from taking cellphones found in bars.
At the absolute very least.
I can think of at least 2 felonies associated with this story. Theft of stollen property by possession, and extortion. There must also be a couple crimes releated to stollen intelectual property.
I'm not sure a prosecutor really gives a crap about how iPhone sales went after the fact that several crimes were committed.
In my opinion the actions of those involved were corrupt to the core and people who work like that should be dealt with.
Don't forget trafficking in stolen goods.
September 22 2010 at 12:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyUnder California law paying $5k for a stolen item is a felony. So that's 3.
September 24 2010 at 10:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLost sells: You are crazy. The lost sells in question are not the iPhone 4. It is of the iPhone 3GS.
iPhone 3GS did measurably drop in the last question on the market.
…last quarter…
September 22 2010 at 9:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRespectfully, I think your angle on this story is as wrong as wrong can be. This story is not about to end, it's about to reignite. There will be criminal charges. Laws were clearly and unequivocally broken and several of the parties have already implicated themselves through their own statements. Further, there will be a civil suit (but it will not be initiated for quite some time).
And as for your take that Apple won't be able to prove damages, you're again as wrong as wrong can be. The damages were the lost sales to the Apple 3GS prior to the introduction of the iPhone 4.
Could I be eating these words in a couple of days? Of course. This is informed speculation, not divination. I don't have any inside info. But I will say that I was very surprised at the tenor of this story. I think the facts and an understanding of the parties involved lead one in a different direction. Either way, we'll know soon enough.
A guy lost it in a bar, someone found it and sold it, it got out to the world a few weeks earlier, iPhone 4 is still a big hit, can't they just move along? Remember the phrases "finders keepers losers weepers" and "don't make a Federal case out of it" way back when? Can't we just do that here?
Tell ya what, I'm moving to San Mateo County though. I mean if they have 6 months to screw around with a drunk guy leaving a prototype of a phone in a bar then everything else must be solved right? NO problems in San Mateo County...schools #1 in the US, 0% unemployment, and no crime but this one to solve. Must be the best place to live in the US on the list next year for sure!!!
I'm not sure your feel good philosophy applies here. This is theft and extortion to the tune of millions of dollars when you take into effect the loss of 3Gs sales. Apple is doing the right thing by not dropping it. They are protecting future victims from being extorted by sleaze ball bloggers and plain thieves. Didn't the person who "found" the phone try to sell it back to Apple? Extortion!!!
September 22 2010 at 10:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplySooooo, the thought is that whether charges are brought or not depend less on the illegality of the act, and more on whether or not the act in question "blows over"?
Insert hyperbolic analogy here :)
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