There is a subtle, cool point in the story as gizmodo tells it: The fellow what left the bar with the phone called Apple repeatedly, and "all he got for his tr

There is a subtle, cool point in the story as gizmodo tells it: The fellow what left the bar with the phone called Apple repeatedly, and "all he got for his trouble was a ticket number". I bet the gawker lawyers said, at some point, "when you write this up, be sure to mention that we have that ticket number." That's ample support for a fairly broad subpoena if Apple were to decide to take action. Oh, you should also notice that they aren't putting out a call to identify the Random Drunk Guy. That's a bit unlike them, unless they are already in contact with that person. Oh, and: Apple's counsel saying "where and when can we pick it up" -- Apple knows they have no cause of action here. Otherwise, they would just send 'round a sheriff to collect it. So, is Apple now going to repudiate that ticket number? Or do we all agree that an appropriate and honest attempt was made to return the phone, that failed because of negligence by Apple, and that any money paid for the transfer to the press is, at the very, very least - perfectly legal? (As for Gray, I would hope that Jobs et al. would do what any decent boss would do if the stated facts are right: console the guy, remind him that shit happens and that the firm highly values his work, make fun of him at a staff meeting and mention at his next performance review how happy everyone was that he reported the phone missing as soon as he realized it.)