ThinkSecret shuts down

Sad Professor

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/settlement.html
http://www.macrumors.com/2007/12/20/thinksecret-shuts-down-settles-apple-lawsuit/

I'll be sad to see this site go. At one time they were the most reliable and well-informed mac rumour site on the web, especially for revealing upcoming mac specs. However Apple sued them in 2005 after they published details of the Mac mini and iWork weeks in advance of their introduction at MWSF. And now as part of a settlement with Apple TS's editor has agreed to cease publishing in order to protect his source.

Mind you he doesn't seem too bothered, obviously glad to have survived with his journalistic integrity (and a nice payment no doubt) intact.

What does everyone think about this? Is Apple right to go after rumour sites that reveal their secrets? I guess they have and obligation to their shareholders to prevent leaks and protect sales. But I'll still miss TS, it used to be my first stop of the day.

aidan_walsh

Is Apple right to go after rumour sites that reveal their secrets?

Are Apple right to? I don't know.
Do they have the right? Absolutely. If the information that the rumour sites have is supposed to be held in NDA then Apple has every right to have it removed.

440Hz

I too shall miss it!

I think ceasing publication alltogether is too extreme, whether that is down to Apple or TS's decision. Like Aidan said, Apple were entitled to go after them, and were unlikely to have let that go undisputed. PIty that it has come to this though.

faceman

From a commercial aspect, i would agree with the course of action apple took. Afterall they are a business and they need to protect their share price. (which can be affected by the rumour mills etc)

however as a consumer, its always nice to get the early heads up to empower your purchasing decisions.

Oriel

I thought it was crap this last year. Appleinsider is always faster and more populated.

Sad Professor

Yeah it went down the toilet since the lawsuit.

Anyway the main issue was the source of the leaks which TS were refusing to reveal. As a compromise Apple must have demanded the site be shut down.

440Hz

Oriel wrote: »

I thought it was crap this last year. Appleinsider is always faster and more populated.

Def not as good as it used to be, but still a pity to see it go!

Dont be at yourself

If Apple were more forthcoming with their upcoming products, then there wouldn't be a demand for the dozens of rumour sites on the net.

whiterebel

Apple don't seem to mind the rumours at all when it suits THEM........