Apple Sues Think Secret

[macridah]

I wonder if this is bad PR for apple but good for the business

Apple now looks like a bully, but because all these rumors, i held off on my apple purchase. For my brothers b-day, i gave him an IOU for a future iPod mini after Jan. 11. I didn't want to get him a 4GB for 250 when a possible bigger, better, cheaper one might come out. Heck, it might have a color GUI.

I wonder if apple tried to contact thinksecret in private first before the decided to sue?

 

[1macker1]

They might not be getting this information from Apple employees. Probably getting the 411 from distributors and a few manufacturers

 

[applekid]

Oh well, I guess the days of Mac rumors (not the website) is now numbered. It was nice while it lasted.

You had to have known Apple was going to sue ThinkSecret and associates. They just got way too accurate.

MacRumors, if you feel unsafe for any reason, I hope you guys decide to make the website more community-based. Take the forums, and allow speculation/rumors happen inside. Then it won't/shouldn't come from a central source. And we have such a nice Mac community here it would be a shame to just throw away. Just saying, if something were to happen, it may be the direction to go.

 

[whooleytoo]

The saying within Apple always use to be, "Apple leaks from the top." That may not be true here and I very much doubt that Apple would be filling law suits if this information came from someone very near the top. However, I would think product price points would be one of the most secret and closely guarded aspects of a new product. That probably means that someone fairly high up in Apple either dropped the ball (mistakenly or otherwise), or the $500 price is just a guess made by someone who doesn't actual know, or these products are already appearing on retailers invoices (that is, the price and features have already been set and sent out to retailers).

You're spot on fpnc, very few people within Apple would know the exact configurations and (especially) pricing in advance. There still would be potential for leaks though, as lots of web & print copy (Apple Store pages, manuals, boxes, posters, online tech notes etc..) would need to be prepared in advance of the product launches, and the leak could come from there.

 

[aussie_geek]

How about this point of view

I can understand where Apple is comming from. Just imagine creating a brand new piece of hardware and not being able to make the big impact when it is released. The poor R&D team that have been putting the hours into making the thing must feel pretty miserable because everyone knows what it is before it even hits the shelves!!

I think that some rumours of upcomming products are great but when it gets down to the nitty gritty of the specs, this is where the rumour should stop. It's good to know that something new is comming from Apple, but the specificity of what it is and when it's comming out should not be so defined.

Having 110% confirmed rumours about Apple products are not healthy for the company. If everyone knows that there are definately new models just around the corner, this cuts sales of the current model. So in effect there will be a stockpile of hardware around the time of the 'rumoured' product announcement. A company with excess hardware that cannot be sold because of newer stuff, ends up costing the customer directly. Apple must have to allow for this somewhere in their budget so if rumours are released, stockpile is high, cannot clear stock --> therefore increase price of new equipment to compensate --> consumers feel the sting in their back pocket....

anyway just my 2c


aussie_geek

 

[aswitcher]

Oh well, I guess the days of Mac rumors (not the website) is now numbered. It was nice while it lasted.

You had to have known Apple was going to sue ThinkSecret and associates. They just got way too accurate.

This - if successful - will just drive some rumors to chat channels and news groups, away from the mainstream perhaps, but it will find a way and then appear in more mainstream publications which in effect will then likely be immune from any legal action.

 

[jholzner]

Does anyone know if Apple releases info to the 'real' media prior to any annoucements with an embargo date on it? Just like almost every other company in the world, or are they so secretive that they don't do that.

Might be interesting if they do, because odds are the 'rea'l news sources that are reporting the 'rumor' sites info would probably already have a release from Apple with all of the details.

For an interesting article about Press embargos (auto industry related) see this The Truth About Cars Editorial

Cheers,
hughdogg

They sure do. They released the G4 iMac info to Time before it' release so they could run a big cover story on it. Problem was, Time Canada accidentialy released the issue to the web the night before the keynote!

They also gave Newsweek the heads up on the 4g iPod so they could run a big cover story.

 

[Lancetx]

If it were false Apple couldn't sue them for crap.

Why not? This rumor has been running on every financial news wire for a week now. If this rumored $499 Mac doesn't come to pass, Apple stands to lose a lot financially due to the disappointment from customers and investors thinking that the story was true. All I'm saying is that it is a possibility.

 

[fonch]

Long time coming

I can understand Apple doing this. Leaks ahead of time harm them in a number of ways. If I know a cheaper iMac might be coming out after MWSF, then I won't buy a new one now, which hurts the bottom line. If I know anything new is coming out in a bit, I'll probably wait and buy it, like most people.
Although I do like rumour sites, I'm starting to find, particularly in Think Secret's case, that they're taking away the surprise of the keynote with all these leaks.

 

[mainemike]

That said, I'm not sure it's really legit to sue someone for encouraging someone else to violate a nondisclosure agreement. That's like suing the casino because someone picked your pocket to get gambling money.

I thought the same thing, and wondered if Apple is going after employees internally as well as Think Secret. No mention of that.

Seems to me that if Apple really wanted to nip the rumors in the bud they would begin by looking at the people who work for them, and ask themselves why employees are being "seduced" into giving trade secrets away. Are they disgruntled employees? If so, why?

It's a funny thing. On the one hand, I can understand why the rumor sites are a fly in Apple's ointment. Jobs is a showman, and the rumor sites at least partially steal his thunder before every Expo. He even mentioned the rumor sites in a sarcastic tone in one of the last SF Expos. You can tell that Jobs feels the element of surprise is somewhat diminished before he even takes to the stage. And on the other hand, I'm a regular reader of two or three rumor sites myself, and wouldn't want to see them crushed by a lawsuit. Shutting down one rumor site won't stop the bleeding, anyway.
Would be as futile as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

 

[TranceClubMusic]

Apple NEVER reads Rumors Sites! HA HA HA HA

How many times have soooooooooooooo many people said "Apple NEVER reads Discussion Boards".

I rest my case.

Not only does Apple read but they also see ALL THE COMPLAINING WE DO. Which is a very good thing because I believe they actually DO act on our complaints.

Keep these boards open - becuase APPLE really does hear us.

 

[LethalWolfe]

However, this isn't a First Amendment suit. Apple isn't challenging TS's right to publish information; it's saying that the information was obtained illegally. Inciting someone to break a NDA is a crime. Conspiring with someone to break a NDA is a crime. Tortious interference with Apple's legitimate business interests is also a crime.

Those saying that Apple is in the wrong here should take a deep breath and wait to hear what TS was alleged to have done to procure the information it had. Given its detail, the facts (not to mention the law) are very likely to be on the side of Apple. We certainly don't have information to suggest that they aren't.

Assuming Apple's complaint to be rooted in fact, Apple is doing exactly what it ought to be doing. Those who publish rumors have nothing whatsoever to worry about. Those who acquire rumors through illegal means should pay the price.

elo

Pretty much my feelings as well. Obiviously Apple has people sign NDAs because there are things that are supposed to stay w/in Apple's walls. What is the problem w/Apple enforcing those NDAs?

Apple obviously doesn't care about rumors, but they do care about people violating their NDAs and companies that pay people to violate their NDAs.


Lethal

 

[SiliconAddict]

Oh well I hope Macrumors is safe

Yah right. I always knew Apple was full of ***holes. This pretty much proves it. I'm sorry but no other company that I know of has as big a stick up their bum as Apple about letting the cat out of the bag.

 

[fonch]

point proven

Apple now looks like a bully, but because all these rumors, i held off on my apple purchase. For my brothers b-day, i gave him an IOU for a future iPod mini after Jan. 11. I didn't want to get him a 4GB for 250 when a possible bigger, better, cheaper one might come out. Heck, it might have a color GUI.

This proves the point so much better stated by Aussie_geek than by myself.

 

[macridah]

How many times have soooooooooooooo many people said "Apple NEVER reads Discussion Boards".

I rest my case.

Not only does Apple read but they also see ALL THE COMPLAINING WE DO. Which is a very good thing because I believe they actually DO act on our complaints.

Keep these boards open - becuase APPLE really does hear us.

Even though apple didn't read discussion boards, they would of found out because, cnet, eweek, news.com, forbes, and many other mainstream sites wrote about it. That thinksecret article is all over the place.

 

[jholzner]

Why not? This rumor has been running on every financial news wire for a week now. If this rumored $499 Mac doesn't come to pass, Apple stands to lose a lot financially due to the disappointment from customers and investors thinking that the story was true. All I'm saying is that it is a possibility.

I understand that but no one said it was 100 percent true. It's a rumor on a rumor site and it shoudn't be in the media at all...not the legit media. That is a failing of our news sources. If I put on a blog that rumor has it that Apple is to release so and so and then everyone picts it up I'm not in troulbe...it was just an opinion...a rumor...nothing more. I know it could hurt Apple but that doesn't make me responsible for posting my opinion. Things have been hyped before taht didn't come to be and hurt Apple somewhat...but there was nothing they could really do about it. Apple is suing to find the leak...who did break the law by breaking their NDA and to find out if TS pressured them to do so.

 

[Hemingray]

Ok, so the competition are getting a head start on making a competitive product? What a full 2 weeks before Apple annouced it? Wow, that's lots of time for Apple to get ousted by a competitor, oh wait, that's right, Apple annouces products then ships them weeks, if not months later, maybe apple should sue themselves for leaks.

AMEN!!! Right on the nose.

If these leaks occurred several months in advance, then yeah, I could see some major issues here. But a few weeks? C'mon. Apple may be "100%" in the right here, but that doesn't mean they have to play it this way.

Ah well... life goes on.

 

[Mainyehc]

Oh well I hope Macrumors is safe

Macrumors should be safe... Most of the news posted here come either from ThinkSecret or AppleInsider. Not that I have something against that, I think that this system of gathering news from several sources on Macbytes and, er, rumors on Macrumors is nice and works fine for me. And the forums are great, IMHO.

MR is more of a "hub", not a real source. So nothing should happen.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Lets put it another way folks. If this was Microsoft everyone and their mother would be up in arms complaining about how the big bad MS is out to get a little o' company. But since it’s Apple (awww such a cute company they are.) It’s quite all right. I call BS on this. How is it Apple has survived all these years with rumors sites and now all of a sudden its some massive threat. BS if anything it puts Apple in the spotlight and makes them the target of news articles and buzz. If anything Apple owes at least a small portion of their success to rumor sites.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Lets put it another way folks. If this was Microsoft everyone and their mother would be up in arms complaining about how the big bad MS is out to get a little o' company. But since it’s Apple (awww such a cute company they are.) It’s quite all right. I call BS on this. How is it Apple has survived all these years with rumors sites and now all of a sudden its some massive threat. BS if anything it puts Apple in the spotlight and makes them the target of news articles and buzz. If anything Apple owes at least a small portion of their success to rumor sites.

I don't think it's the rumor they're worried about. I mean, look at it. They have the exact PRICING, CONFIGURATION, and DIMENSIONS a full two weeks before release.

I expect either someone squealed and Apple is trying to get ThinkSecret to tell them who and sue the leaker, or possibly (though unlikely) TS bribed someone to get this info.

 

[B_Gates]

You don't quite 'get it'. The headless Mac isn't for you, obviously. Its a huge step Apple is taking to leverage the halo effect from iPod sales, getting windows users to switch. These people don't need 3ghz G5's.

Yeah, its a pretty huge deal. I have no need for one, but I bet almost each of us here knows someone who would really benefit from the OSX experience who hasn't before had the pleasure, and now it will be affordable. But from a sheer risk/reward prospect, Apple is taking a big gamble by making such a machine. If it fails, they are unlikely to consider doing anything like it again for the next 20 years. A larger user base means more developers, which means more software, etc etc. You just might end up indirectly benefitting.

Now, if a competitor were to someone have all of this information in advance, including what the machine looks like, they could have all kinds of material ready on launch day to announce something 'better' (even if it doesn't exist yet) to counter the Apple buzz.

Headless Mac: Good Idea
Price of Mac $499 - $600: Good Idea
2 year Old Technology in a new mac : BAD IDEA!!!

Yeah right this is a big gamble for Apple because it makes so much dam sense.

All the other PC mfg have been making affordable computers without a stupid monitor sowed into the pc case.

 

[rdowns]

Guys, you need to realize that in reality, Apple cannot expect to win any lawsuit directly suing ThinkSecret. Since ThinkSecret is a member of the Press, they have the right to their freedom to publish what they want (as long as it isn't a direction to kill someone or whatever, which is clearly not the case). Nick (the editor and chief at TS) can make this kind of defense without the need for expensive lawyers and win.

However, Apple CAN intimidate its employees and perhaps get the name of ThinkSecret's source. This would be a major blow to rumors in general, as insiders would be less forthcoming.

Look at the bright side... Apple making this big of a fuss all-but seals the deal that Asteroid and the Headless iMac are real, and are heading for a launch soon. Maybe Apple will delay them just to piss off ThinkSecret, but Apple has just confirmed to the world that they are real.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

[Backtothemac]

Well, I just feel for Nick. I hate that this has happened to him. I hope he has a good attorney.

Frankly, Apple has pissed me off one to many times, and this is another example of their Bully attitude.

 

[GFLPraxis]

Headless Mac: Good Idea
Price of Mac $499 - $600: Good Idea
2 year Old Technology in a new mac : BAD IDEA!!!

Yeah right this is a big gamble for Apple because it makes so much dam sense.

All the other PC mfg have been making affordable computers without a stupid monitor sowed into the pc case.

Are you kidding? Dell sells $499 PC's with 2 GHz Celerons. If that's not 2 year old technology, I don't know what is.

 

[BWhaler]

Why? I think they have no basis for a lawsuit. Trade secrets are protected by contracts. Thinksecret has no contract with Apple and is not in violation of any laws. Apple has a right to sue those who have violated the law by providing think secret with confidential information. While Apple clearly has legal action it can take against SOMEONE, it isn't Think Secret.

You're obviously not a lawyer.

If you convince someone to murder your wife, but you don't actually pull the trigger, using your logic, you are innocent.

The reality is you will go to prison for the rest of your life.

The same applies to Think Secret. By actively searching and mining out information owned by Apple that they know is protected by NDA, they are breaking the law even if they don't have a relationship with Apple. "Tortuous interference"

Think about it this way: Think Secret is a business which makes money by soliciting and publishing trade secrets and other intellectual property of Apple Computer. And don't forget the make money part, because it is very important in how the law and penalties will be applied. This is not some kid being an idiot, but an active undermining of Apple's IP for profit. For profit. Even if the profit is small, it matters not in the eyes of the law.

Legally speaking, Think Secret is done. And the person behind it, unless he/she is very wealthy, is done too. LLC shield's do not apply for criminal activity, so Apple will have the ability to go after the individual's assets too. But they don't need to really since a case like this will cost $250K-$1M to defend yourself against.