Apple (News - Alert) has reportedly settled a legal row with Think Secret, and as a result, Think Secret will be shutting down their Web site.

 

The Web site, Think Secret, started by Nick Ciarelli when he was 13 years old — now 22 and a student at Harvard University — posted scoops on Apple and its product releases. In January 2005, ThinkSecret disclosed the details of the $499 MiniMac, several weeks before the official launch by Steve Jobs (News - Alert), CEO at Apple.

 

Apple filed a lawsuit against Ciarelli to make him reveal the source who had leaked the information about MiniMac. The settlement, while shutting down the site, allows Ciarelli to keep the information of his sources confidential.

 

Ciarell said in a statement: “Apple and Think Secret have settled their lawsuit, reaching an agreement that result in a positive solution for both sides. As part of the confidential settlement, no sources were revealed and Think Secret will no longer be published.”

 

“I’m pleased to have reached this amicable settlement, and will now be able to move forward with my college studies and broader journalistic pursuits,” he added.

 

Apple did not provide details of the settlement but a spokesman told the press, the company was “happy to have this behind us.”

 

According to reports, initially, the California court had sided with Apple but the company lost the case on appeal. Court had said that bloggers should be considered as journalists and subject to the same protections.

 

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) had helped Think Secret in its legal tussle against Apple, to stop the company from forcing it to reveal its sources.

 

“I hope that Apple takes from this that it is neither useful nor wise to sue its fans,” remarked Kurt Opsahl, an attorney at EFF.