You are barking up the wrong tree here. At issue was Apple's claims that the phone was stolen from Gray Powell. Otherwise, there was nothing illegal about purchasing access to it, taking it apart, and showing that to the world. If legally obtained, only contracts can stop that (non-disclosure agreements). Gizmodo signed and violated no contract. Apple had no "proprietary rights." They have patent and trademark rights, but that has nothingto do with it. Secrets are them and theirs to keep. If they or one of their contracted confidants screws up, it's on them. The engineer may have lied to keep his job. The finder may have lied about what steps he took to return it to Apple. Gizmodo did not lie about how they obtained it and the pretenses they were under. Don't give Apple more "rights" than they have. Also, look up the definition of "rights." You are willingly giving them too much power. The police are not their personal gestapo.