Apple sues over web leaks

Written by Philip Roy | 18 December 2004
Posted in Apple

UPDATE With the Mac Expo in San Francisco rapidly approaching, Apple has taken the unusual step of suing an as yet unamed set of individuals for leaking details on new products.

Rumour sites are currently running rampant with speculation over what the New Year has in store and recent suggestions from sites have included flash-based iPods, the arrival of the iTunes compatible mobile phone to be developed by Motorola and Apple, slightly bigger iPod minis and G5 eMacs. These are all part of an array of products that Apple may or may not be in preparation to release.

According to Reuters, the complaint alleges that "an unidentified individual, acting alone or in concert with others, has recently misappropriated and disseminated through Web sites confidential information about an unreleased Apple product. To succeed, Apple must develop innovative products and bring those products to market in advance of its competitors. If Apple competitors were aware of Apple's future production information, those competitors could benefit economically from that knowledge by directing their product development or marketing to frustrate Apple's plans."

It appears that Apple currently does not know the "true names or capacities, whether individual, associate, corporate or otherwise," of the defendants, but would amend the complaint once these details have been discovered.

Further details

Rueters story - http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=7128844
CNN satellite radio rumour - http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/15/technology/satellite_toys.reut/index.htm
Apple Insider - http://www.appleinsider.com/
Mac OS Rumors - http://www.macosrumors.com/

[Update 1]

Apple has launched another lawsuit, this time against the website Think Secret, at the same time leading most to speculate that many of Think Secret's postings may in fact be close to the truth of what is about to be announced.

"Apple has filed a civil complaint against the owner of ThinkSecret.com and unnamed individuals who we believe stole Apple's trade secrets," Apple said in its statement. "We believe that Think Secret solicited information about unreleased Apple products from these individuals, who violated their confidentiality agreements with Apple by providing details that were later posted on the Internet."

In the suit, Apple outlines the damage that leaks cause, noting that disclosures give competitors a head start and hurt the buzz created around its products. "Unauthorized disclosures diminish the interest of both the mainstream and trade media in the launch of a new product," Apple said.

See the c|net website for more details on the lawsuit