Gizmodo Editor Jason Chen's Home Searched And Computers Seized

**jason_jinx** · 05-01-10, 03:18 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_552572.html

SEATTLE (AP) -- Police have launched an investigation into the loss of an iPhone prototype and its sale to the tech blog Gizmodo.

Last week Gizmodo had one of the Web's hottest scoops when it posted photos of an Apple device that appeared to be a next-generation iPhone. It had been found in a bar in Redwood City and sold for $5,000 by an unknown person to Gizmodo, a gadget blog owned by Gawker Media Inc. After Chen posted photos and details about the phone, Apple acknowledged the device belonged to the company, and Gizmodo returned it. (Read Gizmodo's account of "How Apple Lost the Next iPhone.")

Authorities seized computers, digital cameras, a cell phone and other items from a technology blog editor who posted pictures and details of a lost iPhone prototype. A computer-crime task force made up of multiple law enforcement agencies searched Gizmodo editor and blogger Jason Chen's house and car. The warrant, issued by a Superior Court judge in San Mateo County, said the computers and other devices may have been used to commit a felony.

Wow.

**HeavyG** · 05-01-10, 04:11 PM

Total bullshit. A "lost" prototype... someone at apple was irresponsible, lost or sold something, and now someone's privacy has been totally violated. This screams "Patriot Act", but in the tech world. Absolute horse shit. Yet another reason apple can go fuck themselves.

**digital** · 05-01-10, 04:20 PM

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...-iphone-saga/1

http://www.usatoday.com/_ads/interst...-2010/appholes

**draco7891** · 05-01-10, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Total bullshit. A "lost" prototype... someone at apple was irresponsible, lost or sold something, and now someone's privacy has been totally violated. This screams "Patriot Act", but in the tech world. Absolute horse shit. Yet another reason apple can go fuck themselves.

Chen knowingly paid for and received stolen property, and posted trade secrets to the public domain, both of which are crimes. Just because the prototype was lost in a bar doesn't mean you can take it home and sell it grey-market to whoever you want. Just because you find someone's car-keys on the ground doesn't mean the car now belongs to you. Taking the property with the intent to keep it or sell it on constitutes theft, and since it was sold for $5000, it's probably now a federal crime.

The guy who found the prototype should have either returned it to Apple or turned it into the police. Chen should never have purchased the phone in the first place, and he certainly shouldn't have posted about it. This isn't "Patriot Act bullshit", these are old, old laws with roots in English common law. No one's rights have been violated, this is due process in investigating a crime committed (and, committed and well-documented in public view). That's what a search warrant is for.

Draco

**HeavyG** · 05-01-10, 04:36 PM

Yes, arrest him for stolen property. Fine. Recover the phone and make Apple seek restitution like every victim.

I had a guitar amplifier and pedals stolen out of the back of my car, the people were tracked down and arrested, including those that bought the stolen property. Their computers were not seized even though they conducted the correspondence through Craigslist and E-mail. They were arrested, I got my stuff back, and the buyer lost his money and was shit out of luck... and arrested for receiving stolen property.

How is this different? The difference is that Apple is the victim. They are crybaby assholes and everyone takes it up the A$$ from them and sits around smiling. I will not be one of those people. There are plenty of better products from companies that are not as full of shit as Apple.

I think Apple needs to take some corporate responsibility for once and deal with the person who lost the phone and not try to screw everyone else over. So there was a leak. Welcome to the tech industry, Apple. Its not like you haven't been in this business since the 1980s or anything. If Apple learns to not treat people like shit, then people won't treat Apple like shit.

**HeavyG** · 05-01-10, 04:41 PM

Yes, I have huge issues with Apple... I don't me to come across so aggressive. It might be time for an intervention as I purposely buy products that compete directly with Apple, even if Apple has the superior product.

At least the PC still owns the business and gaming industries.

**digital** · 05-01-10, 05:42 PM

I think it is ridiculious. I think he should Apple and the Local Police department for false arrest, and harassment.

He went to Apple, told them he find the prototype phone. The denied it.

He went online then they admit theirs and he returned it to them.

**WileECyte** · 05-01-10, 05:46 PM

Jason Chen isn't the only one in hot water either. The guy who found the phone in the bar is in hot water because there is no "finders keepers" law in California. You need to make a reasonable effort to try and locate an owner, which this chump didn't do.

**digital** · 05-01-10, 07:15 PM

But that is the thing, before the web show was done. Jason Chen contacted Apple, they told him you do not have a prototype IPHONE and nothing like that exist, basically piss off.

He post it on his popular tech blog.

Oh that prototype IPHONE, yea give it back.

So he did, then after he return the phone then the Fuzz with the help of Apple Techs come and track his ass down and break down his door?

Seriously...overkill?