Did Gizmodo handle the prototype iPhone legally?

Apparently not according to the Daring Fireball. I understand their motivations, but their methods were questionable.  I wonder how they would feel if they were the person who honestly had it stolen or lost.  Would they be concerned for his welfare?  Would they be happy if they were shareholders and this negatively allowed the market to catch up with this design faster and therefore limit profiteering?  Would they be happy to be administration at Apple who mostly is successful at testing these devices?  To me the cost to their reputation for this coverage was too high.