Making Peace With Rivas, Apple Will Complete Trade Secret Theft Lawsuit

JAKARTA A few years ago, Apple sued Rivas, startup developer, on charges of theft of trade secrets. Now, Apple has decided to resolve the case.

Apple and Rivas, citing from Boloomberg, filed a case settlement on Friday, February 9. Both told the US District Court for California's Northern District that they had reached a settlement agreement.

In the agreement, it was written that Apple was allowed to carry out forensic examinations of the Rivas system and activities. The action was taken to prove that Rivas did not steal Apple's trade secrets.

Apple first sued Rivas in May 2022. According to the multinational technology company, Rivas is trying to dig up Apple's secrets by recruiting Apple employees who once had access to company classified information.

"Starting June 2021, Rivas started a coordinated campaign to target Apple employees who have access to Apple's share of ownership and trade secrets about Apple's SoC design," Apple said in a court-made complaint.

In addition, Apple also suspects that the theft of information is part of the recruitment process. Engineers are suspected of stealing gigabyte (GB) specifications and System-on-a-Chip (SoC) design files before working at Rivas.

Meanwhile, Rivas, who was sued by Apple, said the company had limitations that made it difficult for staff to find new jobs. In fact, these restrictions are claimed to make employees afraid to leave the company.

Rivas also filed a counter lawsuit on charges of fear of competition. According to Rivas, Apple is trying to lay off its companies so that all of its employees do not dare to leave Apple to work for other companies.

"Apple was forced to try to thwart a startup that was developing through anti-competitive measures, including limiting employee mobility illegally," Rivas said in his back lawsuit, quoted from 9to5google.