I’ve been asked a lot today why Apple hasn’t responded to the Wall Street Journal article saying that there have been massive cuts to iPhone 5 orders. The simple fact is, they can’t.

SEC rules prohibit Apple from talking publicly about the company. This is known as a quiet period and all publicly traded companies must adhere to these rules.

The Wall Street Journal can publish more of its “according to a person familiar with the matter” and there isn’t a lot Apple can say.

Apple is scheduled to release its Q1 2013 earnings on January 23, 2013 — next Wednesday.