Re: [MSUNAG] New iPhone stunt or mistake?
Journalistic freedom of speech unfortunately doesn’t cover the commission of a crime in the name of journalism – Gizmodo is citing a California “shield” law which covers reporting about a crime, but not crimes committed by a reporter. The case against the reporter and Gizmodo looks pretty solid from my admittedly-not-a-lawyer perspective – he bought a piece of property known it was considered stolen under California law (which requires items to be turned into the police who hold it for 90 days then release the “lost” item) and it’s valued highly enough to be in the range of felony grand theft.
While Apple may be encouraging the prosecution, it’s equally likely that the local DA saw this happen online and just figured it was a quick way to get a bust for grand theft and boost his local “solved crimes” statistics.
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Jack Kramer
Computer Systems Specialist
University Relations, Michigan State University
w: 517-884-1231 / c: 248-635-4955
From: "Esther V. V. Reed" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "Esther V. V. Reed" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:27:33 -0400
To: "[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [MSUNAG] New iPhone stunt or mistake?
Here's a distraction for you:
An Apple employee supposedly left a new iPhone prototype in a Redwood City bar, which was found and sold to Gizmodo.com who then reviewed and unveiled Apple latest jewel before "Master of Apple" Jobs. Apple has no comment, but police have now raided the Gizmodo bloggers home confiscating his computer, etc. In the days of the 'balloon boy' stunt, who knows if this is real or just Apple's way to drum up free publicity.
If you're curious, the review is still up at Gizmodo:
http://gizmodo.com/5520164/this-is-apples-next-iphone
The bloggers supposedly have returned the phone, but have little else to say:
http://gizmodo.com/5520471/the-tale-of-apples-next-iphone?skyline=true&s=i
The news folks claim the investigation is now a felony. Sounds "somebody" influential (can we say Jobs) is pushing this along.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36787239/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/
If it's real, it will interesting how journalistic freedom of speech applies to the internet and blogging.
~ Esther
