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Apple media bullying expands, lawyers force takedown of positive Leopard article

by Adam Turner

Thursday, 12 July 2007

Apple's legal bullying of the media has hit a new low, with Cupertino forcing Australian technology magazine APC to pull a positive OS X "Leopard" article discussing features Steve Jobs has already presented on-stage at MacWorld.

The article, by APC's Danny Gorog, examined user interface refinements such as Spaces, Stacks and Leopard's new look - features Jobs demonstrated at length in his recent MacWorld keynote, according to APC.

APC removed screenshots from the article after initial legal threats from Apple lawyers, who claimed "the software has been distributed to developers under strict terms of confidentiality that prohibit any dissemination of screenshots or confidential details of its operation. The software is also copyrighted by Apple, and copyright law specifically prohibits unauthorized distribution and displays of copyrighted works. The software contains Apple trade secrets, moreover, the unauthorized dissemination of which is also prohibited by law."

Unsatisfied, Apple's lawyers demanded the removal of the entire article, citing "trade secret misappropriation", a legal concept that exists in the United States but not Australia. APC complied with Apple's demands rather than risk an expensive lawsuit originating in the United States.{moscomment}

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