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TidBITS
Think Secret Shuts Down in Wake of Apple Settlement
Guest User
regarding the "shutdown" or "settlement" of the "Think Secret" site, there is another possibility that you don't mention in your article.
Note that Apple did not "win" on the question of whether a site can or cannot publish rumors in the manner of Think Secret. Also note that Ciarelli is a student, not a large corporation. It could well be that the "amicable" settlement is truly just that: Apple may have "purchased" the Think Secret service in order to eliminate the issue without the expense and possibility of losing a lawsuit - and paid Ciarelli a nice sum for this resolution.
There were several potential outcomes for Apple:
1. They could have intimidate Ciarelli into ceasing his work.
2. They could have won (thus establishing their right to restrict such publications) or LOST (thus definitely halting them from trying to stop such publications) a legal action.
3. The could "pay off" Ciarelli - perhaps at less cost than the lawsuit - and a) make Think Secret go away, and b) not LOSE in court on the question of whether they are entitled to restrict reporting as they tried to do here.
Given that they did not succeed at #1 and the probability that the result of #2 would have been a decision setting a precedent not in their favor, they perhaps wisely chose option #3 as the least damaging outcome.
This would be consistent with the "no comment" announcements.
Take care,
Dan Mitchell
