Hot on the heals of The Unofficial Apple Weblog’s article, OSx86: On the cheap with Cinema Display capabilities, comes an article from ZDNet, by way of OSNews.

Apple Mac OS X on x86: a First Test – OSNews.com: “ZDnet has installed the x86 version of Mac OS X and did some preliminary tests. Their conclusion? ‘Mac OS X looks in amazingly good early form on the x86 platform. As far as power consumption and OS performance are concerned, it can already keep up with Windows XP. Application performance clearly lags behind, though, and still needs to improve.’ Now, let’s wait and see if Apple dares to send angry letters to ZDnet too.”

Apple Mac OS X on x86: a first test – ZDNet UK Reviews: “Steve Jobs might not approve, but Apple’s latest operating system can be installed on any x86 hardware. How well does it function? Read our preliminary labs test to find out.”

The comment from OSNews, “Now, let’s wait and see if Apple dares to send angry letters to ZDnet too.”, is plain stupid.

We are not talking about companies or individuals being sued by an overzealous Apple legal department for using the word Mac or iPod in a Google Ad.

This is about professional, for profit businesses, illegally using versions of Apple’s announced, but unfinished products to generate profits for their publications.

Mac OS X for Intel-based Macs is an unreleased product, which is covered under a non-disclosure agreement between Apple, their developers and employees.

The only legal way to access this product, is to hand Apple $999 for a developer transition kit under a strict non-disclosure agreement.

Apple, as a corporation has every right to sue individuals leaking their products, and businesses, like ZDNet, for using leaked products for profit.

This is not a first amendment issue. There is no public right to information regarding unreleased products from any corporation.