I doubt if there is even much of a civil case here.
As I understand it, the Apple workers left his phone in some bar. That's his own carelessness and stupidity. The guy who found it, didn't go and steal it from anybody. It's like finding a $50 bill in the street.
Further, he made several attempts to return it to Apple, without success, before "selling" it” to Gizmodo. In addition, Gizmodo, went out of their way to return said device to Apple anyways, after detailing everything that happened on the Gizmodo web site. I think this is all about Apple trying to generate hype for their phone..
I think this is all about Apple successfully kicking themselves in the nuts with steel-toed boots in a demented attempt to prove via jackbooted tantrum what a self-important cabal of snot-nosed elitists they are; justice for we, not for thee, and all.
Robespierre rides again.
May they all meet the same fate.