Apple, Inc. has forced the close of tech rumor site Think Secret, after the parties agreed to settle out of court. Blog publisher Nick Ciarelli said he was "very satisfied" with the settlement,
although he wouldn't elaborate as to whether the agreement would keep him from reporting on Apple again.
Think Secret was one of the most successful Apple rumor sites, often breaking
news on the company's new products. However, as blogs are prone to, the site also published erroneous tips, and information about products that were never released. In January 2005 Apple sued Think
Secret for publishing details of an unreleased music product called "Asteroid." Apple accused the blog of "posting trade secrets and encouraging and inducing persons to provide product information in
breach of agreements." Many believe that Apple sued Ciarelli in order to hunt down insider sources that supplied Think Secret with information.
Ciarelli, 22, now plans to finish school at Harvard, where he is majoring in social studies. He said he was "looking for opportunities" in journalism.