The journalist that broke news of a prototype iPhone found in a bar in California has been raided by the police.

iphone_prototype_blogger_raided

iphone_prototype_blogger_raided

Computers belonging to a journalist that came into possession of what is claimed to be a prototype version of the next-generation iPhone have been seized by police.

Gizmodo contributor Jason Chen posted documents on the technology blog including a copy of the search warrant and a legal response to the raid by Gawker, the site’s owners.

Gawker claims that the seizure was illegal under US law as the computers belong to a journalist and as such are protected by Section 1070 of the Evidence Code.

This, Gawker’s representatives argue, makes the warrant issued by a judge at the Superior Court of San Mateo invalid.

Chen came into possession of the mysterious gadget after an Apple employee apparently left it in a bar where it was found by a member of the public.

This member of the public sold it to Gizmodo for $5,000 (around £3,250) and Chen took it to pieces, publishing detailed descriptions of what he found as well as photographs to the Gizmodo site.

Apple sent Gizmodo a letter demanding the device back and Gizmodo duly complied.

The raid apparently took place on the evening of Friday 23 April but details are only just emerging.