Think Secret Shuttered After Settlement with Apple

Think Secret, a popular Apple rumor site, has been shut down as part of a settlement over a lawsuit filed by Apple in 2005. The lawsuit was filed after Think Secret published details of the Mac Mini, the iPod Shuffle, and the iWork productivity suite two weeks before the products launched.

In a post on the website, Nick Ciarelli, Think Secret's publisher, said "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." Ciarelli started Think Secret as a 13-year-old.

Many have accused Apple of being heavy-handed, particularly as its popularity has risen. One need only look at lawsuits such as the one over the "Profit Pod" to see an example. At least, however, Ciarelli was not required to give up any of his sources --- but who will Apple target next among the myriad of rumor sites?