...where there is money to be made by prolonging the problem.

Let's look at this another way. In the United States if I am the executor of an estate I can get full access to any assets with a certified Death Certificate and copy of the Executor Letter. Any bank will accept that, so why won't Apple?? BTW: The Executor Letter is a court order. Personally I think Apple is being a corporate dick in this case.

I feel your pain. However, if you are under HIPPA or PCI then there are real penalties that can come back on you (if the management weasels can push the blame on you after a breach).

There is no logic. This topic comes up in politics as a way to make themselves look like they are doing something "for the children". Quite frankly, in Australia and here in the U.S. the elected officials should have better things to do with their time (and our money).

This may be the ground observation of Sprite Lightning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(lightning)

My Dad always told me there was a little man in the ATM printing the money it spit out!

Indeed. This case has far more to do with the actions of police state than a criminal investigation. When will these morons in law enforcement learn: IP Address != Identity.

Ya can 't tax negative numbers and get a positive result.

Yes they should. This would give our (meaning the United States) congress something meaningful to do rather than dick around with the tax code.

Really?? There's nothing more pressing than trying to prosecute this crap?? C'mon people let's get into the 21st century and shed these superstitions. I know it's a pipe dream... but a man can dream, can't he?

No it's not. There's just you,me the cat and bunch of smegging rocks.