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December 20, 2007

legal

Think Secret finally settles with Apple and shuts down

Posted Dec. 20, ’07, 8:40 AM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Legal

Think SecretThink Secret, started in 1999, has long been a well-known source for Apple rumors. They were sued by Apple in January 2005 for disseminating trade secrets and yesterday’s settlement between the two parties brought the lawsuit to a close. In a press release issued this morning, Nick Ciarelli, the publisher of the website, announced that they had reached an agreement. The terms? Think Secret was not obligated to reveal any of their sources to Apple and the website will no longer be published. Ciarelli says that he is “pleased to have reached this amicable settlement” and that it is a “positive solution for both sides”.

Never having paid much stock to rumors myself, I’ve only occasionally paid visits to Think Secret, so it doesn’t make any difference to me whether or not they continue down the path of poking, prodding and sneaking into places they are not supposed to. However, I’m aware that numerous fans of our favorite fruity company obsessively follow any and all rumors that concern the Cupertino-based computer maker. So, for those of you who do frequent ThinkSecret and other sites of its ilk, does it bother you that the site won’t exist anymore? Do you think they got what they deserved or is it another case of Apple being a big, bad corporate bully?


9 Comments

fletcher Author Profile Page said:

I think it is unfortunate that Think Secret needs to shut down rather than the actual employees who leaked the information being punished.

I used to read a couple different rumors sites, but they never really gave me any insight into the direction of the platform. I know that new Macs and iPods are going to come out next year, because what year hasn't seen new releases from Apple. I suspect a new iPhone will come out. I don't need rumor sites to tell me these things and guess about the specs and case designs.

If a rumor rises to the level of being reported by the major websites, magazines, and newspapers then I'll usually pay attention.

December 20, 2007 8:59 AM
Anonymous Coward said:

I've had Think Secret in a group of tabbed Mac-oriented bookmarks I check regularly, and the site (or at least the 'Secrets' part of it) has just not been maintained like it used to be. They've kept the headline 'Notes' part updated but you can get that anywhere.

I think Nick Ciarelli is probably fine with all aspects of this. Maybe someday he'll be back but it seems like he may have mentally checked out 18 months ago or so.

Move along, move along now ...

December 20, 2007 9:25 AM
Not Thrilled! said:

I am glad that the suit is done and over with. I had personally hoped for an agreement to where TS did not have to divulge their source(s) and Apple gave them some guidelines that they must follow as part of the settlement but to shut them down is completely absurd.

December 20, 2007 9:34 AM
Goobimama said:

To hell with rumour sites. Pay attention to rumours and end up disappointed. Instead it's better to be pleasantly surprised...

December 20, 2007 10:23 AM
PT said:

Don't fool with a big company or you will be crushed. Apple is a big company.

December 20, 2007 10:41 AM
fletcher Author Profile Page said:

Reading some new reports it doesn't sound like they "shut him down", but that they paid him millions of dollars and he stopped doing the site. He is quoted as saying that the settlement may help him start up a new business and that he was ready to try something else. He started the site when he was 13 and is now only 22 and at Harvard.

December 20, 2007 10:58 AM
MacNut said:

Don't forget, this site was hardly more than a facilitator for corporate espionage that benefitted Apple's competitors. They solicited information by providing anonymous tipster contact options. That's hardly the same as pounding the pavement or making calls to people and listening for bits and pieces of something in the works to report back. I don't blame Apple for coming out with the lawsuits but don't think Think Secret and others weren't in the wrong either. Protect your Intellectual Property or kiss your business goodbye. It's unfortunate to see the site shut down since it could have continued in a different manner perhaps. Rather see the site shut down than bankrupt the site creator though.

December 20, 2007 1:45 PM
Murray A Thompson said:

I for one would welcome a monthly printed version of Mac User. Mac World needs some competition. With increasing numbers of Mac Users, even my wife and several new users, you should be able to sell adverts.

Good luck
Murray Thompson,
Retired Professor, University of Wisconsin

December 20, 2007 4:41 PM
MacChickie said:

A company and especially a computer company has a right to protect its products and their specialness until they launch the product / project. what is the motivation for doing these rumor sites? they seem so immature. Apple likes to make a big splash and don't we all love to watch it? and enjoy getting hit by the drops of water?

December 21, 2007 6:27 AM

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