It may not be new but this piece of news has been running for some time and remains unresolved. An Apple personnel misplaced the prototype of the upcoming iPhone 4G and the prototype, after going through a few rounds of handling, is eventually bought by Gizmodo. Gizmodo then publishes information, dissecting and detailing components about the iPhone 4G prototype without the knowledge of Apple. Even til now,Gizmodo insists on publishing and keeping The Tale of Apple’s Next iPhone available on its website.
A few weeks back, we discussed in class, the controversy surrounding Intellectual Properties (IP) laws. IP laws is relevant to creative industries, especially in the technological industries such as software and products.
While some favoured Apple’s decision to sue Gizmodo for “stolen property” crime, it is debatable whether something, that is lost and found, and then used by someone else who was not sure of the true origin and attempted to return it, is considered theft. Especially since this is a prototype, there is no patent or license to insure its confidentiality. Check out the comments from How Apple Lost the Next iPhone. One comment that stood out among the rest; it journalled a list of reasons why Apple should not sue bother suing Gizmodo.
Such is the dilemma of protecting products emerging from creative industries. Apparently, Apple has been involved in several lawsuits with regards to protecting its ideas/ software/ products. A friend and I briefly shared our views on this issue and the conclusion is: “You can’t blame Gizmodo.” Then again, when was the last time a MEGA-MNC lost a lawsuit against a smaller-in-comparison newswire site?
Hmm, it is actually kind of common for MNCs in America to lose law suits to smaller companies. However, in this case, it was the media industry that is seeking for a return of the laptop along with the phone in the name of free journalism.
In my opinion, it is a huge thing… But nowadays, they are smarter… Most iphones are figured out in Vietnam… I guess where you manufacture matters. =(
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/12/next-generation-iphone-escapes-in-vietnam/
By: jazken on 2010/05/17
at 14:46
I see, the link provided leads to another case of iPhone 4G being “discovered” and similarly revealed unofficially. Did Apple respond to that?
I managed to find an article (late 2009) about this canadian Eleven Engineering company which sued Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft (where else can you gather bigger names) for breaching its patent. It seems like it lost it case.
http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/44876-microsoft-sony-nintendo-sued-by-a-number
This triggers me to think about self-cannibalisation among creative industries. While leveraging on one another to achieve a higher level of technology is ideal, when and to what extent will they destroy one another, whilst in pursuit of self-interest?
By: scaredyguen on 2010/05/17
at 22:52