Freedom to Blog

Apple Computer - according to the linked article by Dawn C. Chmielewski in the San Jose Mercury News - has taken the following position about freedom of speech and freedom of the press:

Apple maintains that disclosures about an unreleased product, code-named "Asteroid,'' constituted a trade secret violation. The company asked the court to force the Web sites to identify the source of the leaks.

In its court filings, Apple argued that neither the free speech protections of the United States Constitution nor the California Shield Law, which protects journalists from revealing their sources, applies to the Web sites. The company said such protections apply only to "legitimate members of the press.''

Apple is a corporation granted the status of "person" under US law.  This corporate personhood allows the company to bring the weight of a huge accumulation of capital into play against flesh and blood people.  Yet, unaware of the oppressive reality underlying the politics of the popular toy manufacturer for the trustafarian set, many people continue to buy their products.  One wonders why?

The EFF story on Apple's blatant attempt to censor industry analysts is here.  Meanwhile, Apple share prices have begun to drop.  Is this simply a matter of Napsterization or a more informed market response to the cluelessness of the large corporation, I wonder.  Thanks to K.G. Schneider at Free Range Librarian for the heads up on this issue.