It’s been a while since the authorities snatched computer gear from Gizmodo editor Jason Chen’s home, in the iPhone 4G Gizmodo Scandal, like a team of crack SAS, and since then it’s been kind of quiet from all fronts.
However according to an article over on Cnet by Declan McCullagh, things are starting to move in this leaked iPhone 4G prototype investigation as the courts have begun searching Jason Chen’s computers and stuff for possible evidence.
Apparently the chief district attorney for San Mateo County, Stephen Wagstaffe told Cnet that the court has appointed a “special master” to search Chen’s electronic gear and this “special master” has been asked by the court to collect only info pertaining to Gizmodo’s dealing with the leaked iPhone 4G prototype.
Wow, a “special master,” I wonder what make him/her so special, it that like a special investigator? Well apparently a “special master” is an “unpaid agent” that is typically a judge or law professor volunteer, and is apparently unconnected with any case they work on.
Anyway once this “special master” finishes their snooping of the gear anything that’s been found will be sent to the judge who will then show the evidence to Jason Chen and Gizmodo lawyers so that can refute. The judge then makes a decision on what comes next and it could take a couple of months.