EFF victorious over Apple

[ktinkel]

Late Friday night, a California appeals court ruled in favor of the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s petition supporting the right of online journalists to the same protections as print journalists.

Apple Computer had sued alleged unnamed leakers who gave pre-release information about a new product to web sites (AppleInsider, PowerPage). It also sued e-mail provider Nfox for access to e-mail and other materials of Jason O’Grady, who publishes PowerPage.

The court said O’Grady is covered by California’s shield law as well as the U.S. constitutional privilege against disclosure of confidential sources. The court also declined to define “legitimate” or “illegitimate” news, citing a danger to the First Amendment in any attempt to do so.

This news comes from the EFF site, which also has links to the decision and more.

I find it interesting for many reasons, but it is also a mixed victory, as the courts seem to be hammering away at the rights of print journalists.