Gizmodo Editor Home Raided

[coolbho3000]

Last Friday night, California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team entered editor Jason Chen's home without him present, seizing four computers and two servers. They did so using a warrant by Judge of Superior Court of San Mateo. According to Gaby Darbyshire, COO of Gawker Media LLC, the search warrant to remove these computers was invalid under section 1524(g) of the California Penal Code.

http://gizmodo.com/5524843/police-seize-ja...chens-computers

Gawker, the parent company of Gizmodo, bought a prototype iPhone for $5000 from an unnamed individual, who claimed it had been left in a bar, and that he made multiple attempts to return it to Apple. It ended up in editor Jason Chen's possession, who wrote articles on it and disassembled the phone. It was eventually safely returned to Apple upon request.

It is difficult to tell if this investigation was prompted by Apple, or if the state of California started it, or whether this criminal investigation is against Jason Chen, the individual who sold the iPhone to Gawker, or Gawker itself. Regardless, prosecutors allege that the equipment in editor Jason Chen's home was used in connection with a felony. Gawker believes that the warrant was without merit, as does the EFF and some other organizations. No arrests have been made (yet).

The iPhone 4G prototype is specifically mentioned in the warrant, as is Gizmodo's investigation into the employee who allegedly lost it.

 

[BoxShot]

So he got raided for what?

 

[DeMoN]

Apple already got the prototype back, I think now they're just being paranoid.

 

[dinofan01]

So he got raided for what?

Because Gawker committed a crime by buying a stolen item. The cops are gathering evidence. But apparently theres some dispute over the legalities of the raid.

 

[raing3]

They took business cards

and his "seagate exsternal 250 GB hard drive"

 

[wchill]

What about his apple airport exstream?
Oh and his Canon reblel, Apple Macbook Pro e/ power cable, Ioemega stor Center IX2, and Dell demension 2400.
lolwut.

 

[Bladexdsl]

I think now they're just being paranoid.

when aren't they? someone only has to make a product with the word i in it these days for them to go on a rampage

 

[Edgedancer]

It will be interesting to see how this who series of events end up.

 

[Cermage]

they probably just want to find out the identity of the dude who sold it to gizmodo.

 

[Cablephish]

They took business cards

and his "seagate exsternal 250 GB hard drive"

Oh noes now the government has his pr0nz!!

 

[DeltaBurnt]

From my understanding of the article on Gizmodo, no one ever payed money for the phone the person who found it freely sent it to Gizmodo...

Maybe they lied?

 

[Beats]

Goddamn it, California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team can't spell 'extreme'

 

[Hop2089]

There must be some backdoor deals involved.

 

[Jamstruth]

I think now they're just being paranoid.

when aren't they? someone only has to make a product with the word i in it these days for them to go on a rampage

Hey, I'd be pissed if somebody tried to piggyback my success with an almost identical name, wouldn't you?

 

[chartube12]

From my understanding of the article on Gizmodo, no one ever payed money for the phone the person who found it freely sent it to Gizmodo...

Maybe they lied?

READ the story again. It was sold to GIZMODO on ebay for 5,000.

 

[Deleted_171835]

This is insane.
Apple is so protective with their products. He already gave it back yet they still raid him.

If they raid me, they'll be sure to find some "objectional" stuff (rampant piracy)!

 

[coolbho3000]

This is insane.
Apple is so protective with their products. He already gave it back yet they still raid him.

If they raid me, they'll be sure to find some "objectional" stuff (rampant piracy)!

Piracy (unless you're selling DVDs off the street) is not a criminal offense, it's a civil offense, the police might confiscate it but they can't prosecute you for it.

edit: at least in most countries

 

[Deleted_171835]

This is insane.
Apple is so protective with their products. He already gave it back yet they still raid him.

If they raid me, they'll be sure to find some "objectional" stuff (rampant piracy)!

Piracy (unless you're selling DVDs off the street) is not a criminal offense, it's a civil offense, the police might confiscate it but they can't prosecute you for it.

edit: at least in most countries

Canadian police don't care about personal piracy so, yay!!

 

[Danny600kill]

Wow just read the who story on gizmodo, pretty interesting, I feel sorry for the guy who lost it and the editor

 

[TM2-Megatron]

Even if law enforcement decided to go ahead with this on their own with no say from Apple, this will only end up making Apple look bad. If anything, they should've pushed for these things not to be carried out. Apple likes to project a facade that lets their hipster customers think they aren't the usual, greedy corporation, when the reality is they're greedier than average. If they really go after people like this over a product leak (which happens to all companies now and again), part of that facade will crumble and they'll just look like the dicks they are.