iPhone 4G scandal: Who it helps (and hurts)

It started as a fun story for gadget enthusiasts — how technology site Gizmodo purchased, and subsequent reported on, a "stolen" Apple iPhone 4G prototype — but after police raided the home of the Gizmodo blogger who wrote the original post, it's become a high-stakes legal saga with curious consequences for all involved, including Apple. (Watch an NBC report about the iPhone leak's impact on Apple.) Here's how "Gizmodo-gate" has both helped and hurt the key players:

GAWKER MEDIA, Parent company of Gizmodo

Upside: Its revelatory iPhone 4G stories were both a traffic and publicity triumph — attracting more than 10 million visitors to Gizmodo.com and worldwide media attention.

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Downside: Gawker could face felony charges related to its $5,000 purchase of iPhone prototype (which may have been "stolen" property under CA law); also, the company has been widely criticized for stooping to "check-book journalism" to get a scoop.

JASON CHEN, Gizmodo reporter/editor who broke the iPhone 4G story

Upside: Chen broke the biggest technology news story in recent memory; media watchers were buzzing that he might get the top job at Gizmodo, one of the most popular blogs on the internet.

Downside: He could face felony charges — and up to a year in prison — related to his role in the iPhone purchase.

APPLE, Maker of the iPhone

Upside: The company received a boatload of free publicity for their upcoming iPhone 4G release.

Downside: Fairly or not, the affair has reinforced the perception that CEO Steve Jobs is "secretive," "controlling," "paranoid," and "vengeful"; if a lowly blogger goes to jail, that might not look good for the tech giant that requested the investigation.

GRAY POWELL, Apple engineer who lost the iPhone prototype while drinking at a German beer garden

Upside: Against all odds, Powell so far seems to have kept his job; Lufthansa offered him a free trip to Germany to indulge his "passion for German beer and culture"; and he's suddenly a "cult hero."

Downside: He's also now notorious for committing the biggest blunder in Apple history (not counting the decision to greenlight the Newton).

BRIAN J. HOGAN: Sold Powell's iPhone to Gawker Media

Upside: Hogan is $5,000 richer (temporarily, at least); he hasn't yet been charged with a crime.

Downside: Could face felony charges for selling stolen property; unlikely to ever be hired by Apple.

[UPDATE: Wired has identified the seller of the iPhone prototype: 21-year-old Brian J. Hogan of Redwood City, CA]

Sources: Gizmodo (2), Ozcar Guide, Daily Tech, Daily Finance, Law.com, PC World (2), CNET, CBS News, Wired, ABC News