Apple sues unknown individual for product information leaks

December 19, 2004

Quakester2000 andGristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us that Apple is upset with at least one individual who they claim has leaked stolen information about upcoming products to the Internet. Just a few weeks ahead of the MacWorld conference, the company has filed a complaint in a California court.

Even though
Apple tries to keep their new releases secret, it seems that somehow, the products make it to the Web weeks before Apple would like to make the formal announcement. The company is saying now, that this information is being stolen, or at least illegally obtained and they have had it with this activity.

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."Apple said in the seven-page civil complaint, filed on Dec. 13, that it did not know the "true names or capacities, whether individual, associate, corporate or otherwise," of the defendants. Once they have been discovered, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company said it would amend the complaint.

It is not the first time Apple has gone after fanatics who have posted information about upcoming products on the Internet. In December 2002, Apple sued a former contractor who allegedly posted drawings, images and engineering details of the company"s PowerMac G4 computer in July of that year, several weeks before the product was officially unveiled. "Apple has filed a civil complaint against unnamed individuals who we believe stole our trade secrets and posted detailed information about an unannounced Apple product on the Internet," the company said in a statement provided to Reuters.

Apple says they are concerned as they feel that what
makes their company successful is that they are innovators. They think part of their popularity is due to the fact that they can often bring new concepts to market first. Their complaint focuses on the idea that stemming these leaks is crucial to insure future success. The article goes on to say that these Apple rumor or fan sites go into high gear just prior to these big conventions, which is a concern to Steve Jobs as he feels his competitors are benefiting from the confidential information found on these websites, Giving them advance knowledge of Apples next-gen products.

Source: C|Net