Woz: Apple Should Drop the Lawsuit


Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has made a public statement about the Apple case against alleged information leakers, Betanews reports. After reading an interview with one person named in Apple's lawsuit, Vivek Sambhara, Woz criticized Cupertino's decision to launch the case.

"I wish that Apple could find some way to drop the matter. In my opinion, more than appropriate punishment has already been dealt out," Wozniak said after reading the interview. "In this age of professional spammers and telemarketers making fortunes, we're misusing our energies to pursue these types of small time wrongdoers. I will personally donate $1,000 to [defendant Vivek Sambhara's] defense."

Sambhara reportedly cannot afford a lawyer, which could cost, at a minimum, $7,500. In federal cases, the article notes, no attorney is provided.

Journalists named in the case, including Think Secret's Nick de Plume, are being represented by civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Analysis: It's getting uglier, but Apple is unlikely to back down, given that trade secrets are its most precious commodity. The company clearly wants to make an example of leakers and rumor-mongers to serve as a warning for those who even think about trying it in future.