Apple Asteroid documents unsealed

Documents newly unsealed regarding a lawsuit between Apple Computer and two Apple news sites revealed that the computer maker sought to subpoena two reporters' anonymous sources without first conducting a thorough investigation inside the company, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Apple filed suit last year against the Apple Insider and Powerpage.org sites, which had reported details about an unreleased product, code-named Asteroid.

"Apple also claimed that its internal investigation was itself a trade secret and would therefore need to be sealed from opposing counsel," according to the EFF, which is representing the journalists. But the unsealed documents revealed that "the only computer forensics conducted by Apple were a search of Apple's email servers and a rudimentary examination of a single file server."

The finding provoked bloggers into fierce criticism of Apple, usually the darling of the tech set.

Blog community response:

"It appears that Apple has adopted a shoot-first, ask questions later approach to dealing with rumors sites. The company took no depositions, required no oaths from its employees, and failed to subpoena anyone related to the company or the development of the device in question."
--Ars Technica

"In this particular case I'd like to know what damages have been incurred. Do you see Microsoft rushing to market with an 'Asteroid killer?' Let it go guys, just let it go."
--The Unofficial Apple Weblog

"A judge, however, has said that's ridiculous and has unsealed the documents that show Apple only conducted a cursory internal investigation before sending out the subpoenas."
--Techdirt

"I still don't get why people are so enamored with Apple. For every piece of FUD Microsoft spews, Apple tosses out a lawsuit."
--doublem on Slashdot