p2pnet.net News:- The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) decided not to challenge Apple’s lawyers by going to bat for Think Secret publisher Nick Ciarelli.

But it and “other civil liberties organizations” helped get pro bono representation from lawyer Terry Gross who specializes in freedom of speech and Net issues, says the Associated Press.

The EFF is, however, representing both PowerPage and Appleinsider, two other online publishers which have incurred Steve Jobs’ wrath..

Apple, which has just announced plans for a new Pepsi-Apple bottle promo, is suing Ciarelli who, under his nom de plume Nick dePlume, revealed in his Think Secret online mag that Steve & Co were about to launch a cheap Mac.

PowerPage and Appleinsider are also being hammered because Apple doesn’t like the reality that one of the things on- and/or offline journalists do is to try to find out what’s happening with people/events/products and then write about them.

Could it be that Apple, believing the success of its iPod music player makes it immune from public opinion, has finally over-stepped the mark of what it can get away with, and what it can’t? Apple users are infamous for their devotion to All Things Apple, but presumably, even their religious fervour has its limits.

“To: Apple Computer,” says another online petition aimed at Apple and which, at the time of writing, had 4,196 signatures.

“We implore Apple to withdraw legal action against 19-year old student Nicholas Ciarelli and his Web site, Think Secret,” it says. “We urge all sides in the dispute to seek an alternative way to resolve their problem, and beg Apple not to value its corporate interest above the first amendment rights of journalists to report information. Surely in this case Think Secret has served to draw attention to Apple’s new products, helping to generate massive publicity. This is a David and Goliath fight, we implore Apple not to use its power against an individual that has so little power with which to defend themself.”

Sincerely,
The Undersigned

One of the ‘Undersigned’ is Colby Robinson who wrote: “This story created a buzz, and hype around the products for me. I think this kind of rumour journalism, can only have a great effect on Apples financial standing.”

“Apple, you should pick on someone your own size!” – says Janne .

In another petition, angry Europeans are demanding that Apple stops pulling an iTunes by making its ‘cheap’ Mac not-so-cheap in Europe.

Something you think we should know about? tips[at]p2pnet.net

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See:-
Think Secret – Mac mini ’secrets’ author named, p2pnet, January 14, 2005
pro bono – Teen Sued by Apple in Trade-Secrets Case Gains Legal Help, Associated Press, January 29, 2005
online publishers - EFF backs Apple victims, p2pnet, January 10, 2005
bottle promo – New Pepsi Apple iTunes ads, p2pnet, January 19, 2005
online petition – Save Think Secret’s Nicholas Ciarelli, January, 2005
another petition – Mac mini pricing angers EU users, p2pnet, January 17, 2005

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 20th, 2005 at 3:25 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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