Apple loses court appeal against online journalists

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May 26, 2006 5:10 pm ET
MacCentral

By Jim Dalrymple

Apple Computer’s case to obtain communication between unnamed sources that allegedly leaked information to two Internet sites was dealt a blow on Friday. The judge in the State of California Court of Appeal 6th Appellate District agreed with lawyers for PowerPage and AppleInsider who argued that the confidentiality of sources for the online journalists were protected by the First Amendment.

“Today’s decision is a victory for the rights of journalists, whether online or offline, and for the public at large,” said Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF) Staff Attorney Kurt Opsahl, who argued the case before the appeals court last month. “The court has upheld the strong protections for the free flow of information to the press, and from the press to the public.”

The EFF’s case held that the online journalists have the same right to protect the confidentiality of their sources as offline reporters do. . . .

But see "What Reporter's Privilege" below.