When nineteen year old Nicholas Ciarelli published information on his web site in December about Apple's sub $500 iMac, he probably wasn't expecting to attract as much attention as he did.
The Harvard University student revealed Apple's plans to launch a $499 Mac Mini on his web site, ThinkSecret.com, before Apple could announce them at the recent Macworld Expo trade show. Ciarelli also published details of the iPod Shuffle, a week before the Expo.
Unfortunately, Apple are not too happy about this and have decided to sue Ciarelli, claiming he "solicited information about unreleased Apple products from these individuals, who violated their confidentiality agreements with Apple by providing details that were later posted on the Internet."
The law suit, filed last week, also demands that he reveal his sources of information.
Being a student, Nicholas Ciarelli could not possibly hope to afford the legal defence needed in court against such a corporate giant and is seeking free legal help.
Ciarelli is claiming that he deserves First Amendment protection as he used proper news gathering techniques to break news about the $499 Mac and other information about Apple.