Valleywag, one of Gawker Media’s sites, recently set up a scavenger hunt for info concerning Apple’s upcoming tablet. The contest was pretty cool, offering up to $100,000 for a chance to look at the thing. It got something, too, though I don’t think it will be giving the grand prize to Apple.

See, Apple sent Gawker a cease and desist for the scavenger hunt, something they probably wouldn’t bother to do if the device was fake. It’s a weird kind of confirmation, but a smart play on the part of Gawker. A hundred-thousand dollars sounds great, even for an Apple employee. And you can bet Gawker would be discrete if it meant a chance to have a hands-on with the tablet.

Here’s a little excerpt of the letter:

“While Apple values and appreciates vibrant public commentary about its products, we believe you and your company have crossed the line by offering a bounty for the theft of Apple’s trade secrets. Such an offer is illegal and Apple insists that you immediately discontinue the Scavenger Hunt.”

The rest is a bunch of chest-beating legalese. You can read the rest over at Gizmodo.