Mainstream media backing online journalists vs. Apple

Mainstream media backing online journalists vs. Apple

By Rachel Konrad
ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 12, 2005

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In December, Apple sued 25 unnamed individuals – presumed to be Apple employees – who allegedly leaked confidential product information to three people who run Web sites widely read by Apple enthusiasts. The Cupertino-based company said the leaks violated nondisclosure agreements and California's Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

Apple then demanded that the online reporters' Internet providers identify the leakers by turning over e-mail records. The online reporters sought to block the subpoenas, saying that identifying sources would create a "chilling effect" that could erode the media's ability to report in the public's interest.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James Kleinberg ruled in Apple's favor last month, saying that reporters who publish "stolen property" aren't entitled to protections. The online reporters then appealed.

Now the mainstream media has weighed in: eight of California's largest newspapers and The Associated Press submitted a court brief Thursday asking that the online publishers be allowed to keep their sources confidential. The media companies said Kleinberg's ruling, if upheld, could impair the ability of all journalists to reveal important news, from financial corruption to government cover-ups. Before demanding that the online publishers' Internet provider turn over e-mail records, the companies said, Apple should "exhaust all alternative sources" of identifying the source of the leaks.

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