Court examining Gizmodo devices for iPhone info

From CNET News.com: Authorities have finally begun examining the computers, server, and other electronic gear seized from a Gizmodo editor as part of the investigation into a missing iPhone prototype.

Stephen Wagstaffe, chief deputy district attorney for San Mateo County, told CNET on Wednesday that a court there had appointed a "special master" to search the items seized from the home of Jason Chen in late April. The court has asked the special master to collect only information that pertains to Gizmodo's dealings with an iPhone prototype that the blog purchased for $5,000.

In March, an Apple employee lost contact with the handset--a prototype of the next generation of iPhones--when visiting a bar in Redwood City, Calif. The device was obtained by Brian Hogan who then sold the phone to Gizmodo. Police launched a theft investigation and served a subpoena at Chen's home in Fremont, Calif. Attorneys representing Chen and Gawker Media, Gizmodo's parent company, claimed the search warrant used to seize Chen's property was "invalid," citing a California law curbing newsroom searches.

Prosecutors disagreed; Wagstaffe said his staff considered whether reporter shield laws applied and then decided to proceed.

Once Chen's gear was confiscated, it couldn't be searched until the issue of whether the search was lawful was addressed. Wagstaffe said his department and Chen's attorney, Thomas Nolan, came to an agreement on how Chen's computer and other equipment could be searched. Nolan did not respond to an interview request.

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