apple Sues Former Employee, Accuses Oppo of Trade Secret Theft in Apple watch Probe
Cupertino, CA – August 24, 2025 – Apple has filed a lawsuit alleging a former Apple Watch engineer conspired with Oppo to steal confidential trade secrets related to health-sensing technologies. The legal action,filed this week,marks the latest instance of Apple aggressively protecting its intellectual property and highlights the competitive pressures in the rapidly evolving wearables market.The lawsuit names Chen Shi, a former Sensor System Architect who worked on the Apple Watch team from January 2020 untill June 2025, and Oppo as defendants. Apple claims Shi began exploring opportunities with Oppo as early as April 2025, while allegedly misleading Apple about his future plans. According to the complaint, Shi falsely stated he was returning to China to care for his parents and had no intention of seeking new employment.
Key Allegations in the Lawsuit:
Secret Meetings: Shi allegedly held numerous private meetings with apple Watch team members focused on optical, temperature, and ECG sensors – core technologies within the Apple Watch’s health features.
Data Download & Cover-Up: The lawsuit alleges Shi downloaded 63 files from a secure Apple folder and transferred them to a USB drive. following this, he reportedly searched online for methods to erase a Macbook and conceal file access on shared drives.
Intent to Acquire Information: Apple claims Shi communicated to future Oppo employers his intention to “collect as much information as possible” regarding Apple’s health-sensing technologies. Oppo’s Involvement: Apple alleges Oppo knowingly conspired with Shi to acquire these trade secrets.
“Apple is fiercely protective of its innovations, and we will not tolerate the theft of our intellectual property,” a source close to the company stated, speaking on background. “This lawsuit sends a clear message: we will pursue all available legal avenues to safeguard our competitive advantage.”
Oppo Denies wrongdoing
Oppo has issued a statement to MacRumors denying any involvement in the alleged theft. The company claims it has found no evidence linking Shi’s actions during his employment with oppo to the accusations. “OPPO respects intellectual property rights and has not misappropriated Apple’s trade secrets,” the statement reads.Pattern of Legal Action
This isn’t the first time Apple has taken legal action against former employees suspected of leaking confidential information. earlier this summer, Apple sued a design engineer alleging the theft of trade secrets related to the vision pro headset.
What’s Next?
The lawsuit is currently pending in[CourtName/Location-[CourtName/Location-[CourtName/Location-[CourtName/Location-research and insert]. The outcome could have significant implications for the competitive landscape of the wearables industry and further define the boundaries of trade secret protection in the tech sector.
Keywords: Apple, Oppo, Trade Secrets, Lawsuit, Apple Watch, Vision Pro, Intellectual Property, Tech News, Wearables, Sensors, Data Theft, Chen Shi
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