Big Media to Fight Apple over Bloggers vs Journalists

Story Text:
Get yer popcorn, Apple's about to get it's arse kicked over the whole trade secrets and bloggers vs journalists row. The big boys of media have formed a lynch mob and are heading toward Steve Jobs' house with burning torches and pitchforks...
SVG reports that the following media big wigs have filed an amici brief (pdf) with the appeals court in the John Does trial.

• Associated Press
• Los Angeles Times
• Mercury News
• and a whole bunch of lesser known media companies

The brief argues that: "the First Amendment protects journalists from liability for publishing even illegally obtained information on matters of public interest and importance where the journalists did not participate in the illegality, and ... allegations of illegality do not permit a court to ignore the protections ..."
The filing states that the Superior Court judge inappropriately decided that trade law trumps journalists protections. The filing argues:

• Publication of trade secrets by journalists who did not violate the law in obtaining them is protected by the First Amendment.
• The mere allegation of illegality is insufficient to breach the reporter’s privilege.

Good news indeed, i hope they get their arses handed to them on a plate, though i've no idea what an amici brief might be...