Journalists who purchased the prototype iPhone 4 had been found innocent.
April 19, 2010, two days after the publication of a video on Engadget, Gizmodo site published a complete article on the iPhone 4. Later, they learn that the iPhone 4 in question was purchased in a particular. The phone had been lost in a bar in Redwood City by engineer Apple Gray Powell. As a result, Apple sued the Gizmodo publishing company: Gawker, for the publication of information about this iPhone prototype which proved later to be iPhone 4.
The judge gave his verdict that whitens totally Publisher Gawker and Gizmodo journalists. The findings of the investigation do not specify the amount paid by Gawker to acquire the phone while rumours evoked but a sum of $ 5000. On the other hand, it sheds light on the origin of the phone: the iPhone has well lost by its owner. Brian Hogan and Sage Wallover, two people who found the phone in the bar, were convicted of "appropriation of property of another" and more, Sage Wallover, which sold telephone, was punished for theft.
The editor of Gizmodo, Jason Chen, who has recovered the iPhone was completely cleared. Findings indicate that damaged the prototype by unmounting and specify that Brian Lam has been in contact with Steve Jobs asked Gizmodo to the phone. The site had then responded positively subject that Apple confirms the authenticity of the prototype. Finally, Gizmodo reported the phone to Apple and Jason Chen's apartment was searched a few days later. Four computers, two servers, an iPad, iPhone, an AirPort Services Terminal and several hard drives were seized. It is also unknown if Jason Chen has recovered this material.
