I completely agree about the seriousness of the matter. In fact, I think the way, Apple dealt with the situation is disgraceful. They are a public company and have strictly regulated responsibilities towards their shareholders. Shareholders own the company, the management's power originates from them, there would be no shiny overpriced and noisy MacBook with or without Firewire, if some people did not put their money behind the company. Jobs, as a CEO, even when retired played and will play a major role in the company. It is their duty to tell me, an occasional Apple shareholder, if there is a problem and I can make adjustments. For example, sell and not pocket huge losses.
Perhaps, some investors will prove that they suffered losses due to Apple's misrepresentation of Jobs' health. After all, there is a legal obligation to disclose medical details about top managers' health and not to do so may attract not just criminal charges but civil litigation too. I really hope, that Apple will be penalised for the incident. It is time to kill that culture of fear and secrecy that Jobs is responsible for. It is a bit dated now and personally, I cannot see, how it benefits the consumer. All the usual quality problems about the iPhone and MacBooks, I think support the theory.
This whole incident should be seen in the light of Apple's uniqueness about its shareholders. From time to time, Apple is being saved by people, who believe in the company and don't sell, when every sane person would. Is this secrecy the way to pay back the favour?
But I agree that they might get away with it this time. Rotten Apple!