Lost iPhone prototype spurs legal action (roundup)

First, it was all about the details of a purported "iPhone 4G." Then the saga of how Gizmodo got that device exploded into a criminal investigation and questions about journalists' rights and responsibilities.

Court examines Gizmodo devices for iPhone info

Judge appoints special master to examine Jason Chen's electronic gear and discover information relevant to an iPhone prototype.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
June 3, 2010 6:28 AM PDT

Court docs: iPhone finder had no pity for Powell

Friends told police Brian Hogan allegedly knew early who owned the lost iPhone prototype, but brushed off attempts to return it, court records show.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
May 14, 2010 2:44 PM PDT

Apple spurred police in iPhone probe

Steve Jobs personally asked Gizmodo to return the 4G prototype, but the blog refused unless Apple provided "confirmation" it was real, according to documents made public Friday.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
May 14, 2010 10:10 AM PDT

Gizmodo e-mail to Jobs: 'We have nothing to lose'

Gizmodo editors balked at returning the prototype iPhone, even after Apple CEO Steve Jobs personally asked them to, court documents released Friday show.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
May 14, 2010 1:25 PM PDT

Images: Highlights from 'Gizmodo-gate' affidavit

The affidavit unsealed Friday in the investigation of the next-gen iPhone bought by Gizmodo contains some interesting tidbits.
(Posted in Apple)
May 14, 2010 2:14 PM PDT

Another possible iPhone 4G prototype surfaces

A Vietnamese businessman reportedly purchased an iPhone 4G while on a trip to the U.S.
(Posted in "="" rel="follow" target="_self">Apple by Jim Dalrymple)
May 12, 2010 6:46 AM PDT

Hearing on Gizmodo iPhone warrant scheduled

Judge will hear dispute between media organizations and prosecutors on unsealing records concerning the criminal investigation into what may have been a prototype iPhone purchased by Gizmodo.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh)
May 11, 2010 9:39 AM PDT

Judge nixes media request for iPhone warrant

Judge refuses to consider media organizations' request to learn the justification police used to search a Gizmodo editor's home for information about the sale of a possible iPhone prototype.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh)
May 6, 2010 4:28 PM PDT

Media want Gizmodo court records in iPhone probe

A secret court order sealing records relating to the search of a Gizmodo editor's home violates California law, CNET and other media organizations are planning to tell a judge this week.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
May 4, 2010 9:23 PM PDT

A short history of Apple's aggressive legal tactics

The investigation into the missing iPhone is only the most recent example of Apple taking a more muscular legal approach.
(Posted in Circuit Breaker by Erica Ogg)
April 30, 2010 4:00 AM PDT

The people involved in sale of lost iPhone revealed

CNET learns that there were at least three people involved, including a man, 21, allegedly paid by Gizmodo for the device, and another, 27, who allegedly shopped it around.
(Posted in Apple by Greg Sandoval, Steven Musil and Declan McCullagh)
April 29, 2010 2:40 PM PDT

Prosecutors defend Gizmodo search in iPhone probe

San Mateo County prosecutors are defending the search of a Gizmodo editor's home and seizure of his computers, saying they had evaluated journalist shield laws before asking for a warrant.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
April 28, 2010 12:00 AM PDT

Gizmodo considers suing police after iPhone raid

Attorney for parent company says it might file suit against county because a search of editor's home violated law limiting newsroom searches.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
April 28, 2010 10:08 AM PDT

Police ID person who found iPhone prototype

Investigators have interviewed the person who sold the iPhone 4G prototype to Gizmodo for $5,000, the San Jose Business Journal reports, but the person's identity is not yet public.
(Posted in Apple by Greg Sandoval and Declan McCullagh)
April 27, 2010 3:42 PM PDT

Journalist shield law may not halt iPhone probe

Federal and state laws limiting newsroom searches are unlikely to help Gizmodo's editors, if they're the target of a criminal investigation regarding a prototype iPhone.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
April 27, 2010 10:43 AM PDT

Police poised to expand iPhone prototype probe

The criminal probe into Apple's errant iPhone prototype is expected to broaden after a police raid on the home of a Gizmodo editor, CNET has learned.
(Posted in Apple by Declan McCullagh and Greg Sandoval)
April 26, 2010 10:04 PM PDT

Police seize Gizmodo's computers in iPhone probe

San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies served a search warrant on Jason Chen's home last week, according to a published report.
(Posted in Apple by Greg Sandoval and Declan McCullagh)
April 26, 2010 1:40 PM PDT

Wozniak comes to defense of Apple engineers

It's safe to say that Steve Wozniak feels a kinship with Apple engineers. Last week he spoke on behalf of two that have run afoul of Apple's security rules.
• Photos: Woz has fun with leaked iPhone T-shirt
(Posted in Apple by Greg Sandoval)
April 26, 2010 8:05 AM PDT

Lost iPhone prototype spurs police probe

Law enforcement in Silicon Valley has been contacted by Apple and is investigating the prototype iPhone 4G reportedly lost in a bar last month by an engineer, CNET has learned.
(Posted in Apple by Greg Sandoval and Declan McCullagh)
April 23, 2010 12:11 PM PDT

Gray Powell's father: 'He was devastated'

Robert Powell defends his son, the Apple engineer who reportedly lost a prototype iPhone. The elder Powell said whoever found it is a "thief."
• Letterman pokes fun at Gray Powell, iPhone 4G
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
April 21, 2010 10:21 AM PDT

Q&A: How Gizmodo got its iPhone scoop

It wasn't the only gadget blog that had a crack at the purported iPhone 4G prototype, but Gizmodo was willing to pay, says Nick Denton, CEO of Gizmodo's parent company.
• Did lost iPhone lead to blog bidding war?
(Posted in Media Maverick by Greg Sandoval)
April 20, 2010 3:16 PM PDT

Apple requests return of lost iPhone prototype

Tech blog Gizmodo says it will honor the request, which it calls verification that the device is genuine.
(Posted in Apple by Steven Musil)
April 19, 2010 10:25 PM PDT

Meet the guy who supposedly lost 4G iPhone

Did you hear the one about the guy who walked into a bar with a next-gen iPhone? A certain Apple employee is about to become uncomfortably famous.
(Posted in Crave by Matt Hickey)
April 19, 2010 5:52 PM PDT

The leaked 'iPhone 4G': How did this happen?

How did a supposed unreleased prototype of Apple's eagerly anticipated next-gen iPhone wind up in the hands of gadget bloggers?
• iPhone 4G hardware expectations
(Posted in Circuit Breaker by Erica Ogg)
April 19, 2010 12:23 PM PDT

iPhone 4G prototype found on a bar floor?

Engadget posts images of a phone purportedly found on the floor of a bar in San Jose, suggesting that it's a yet-to-be-released iPhone. On Monday morning, Gizmodo follows with its own set of photos and video of "the real thing."
(Posted in Apple by Steven Musil)
April 18, 2010 6:08 PM PDT