Source: Apple
It appears as though Apple is in the midst of filing for legal action against a former iPhone and iPad processor designer. The suit is against Gerrard Williams III, a former senior designer, who formed his own company, NuVia, while still working for Apple.
Apple is suing Williams for breach of contract, according to Apple Insider. The report states that the company has filed through the Santa Clara Superior Court. Indicated in the filings: “Apple’s allegations would require any employee—not just an officer or board member—to disclose to Apple his or her plan to form a new company, and a failure to make this disclosure would be a breach of contract and a violation of the employee’s “duty of loyalty.”
Williams began working for Apple in 2010. During his time with the company, he held the role of senior director in platform architecture, overseeing CPU and SOC development. Williams resigned from his role in February of 2019 to form his new company NuVia, which was officially announced in November. However, it appears a though Williams may have been working on founding the company while on Apple’s payroll. A claim made by Apple stated: “by 2018, Williams had started his new venture on Apple’s dime.”
It later goes into detail that Williams may have also been contacting fellow co-workers to jump ship and become a part of Nuvia through text, phone calls, and email. This would have been in direct violation of his contract as the agreement states: “During your employment and for a period of one (1) year following your termination date, you will not, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage, recruit, or take any action intended to induce Apple employees or contractors to terminate their relationship with Apple.”
Of course, Williams has filed a counterargument against Apple. His case boils down to claims of Apple having no legal right to file a suit against him. The counterargument document in question details Williams’ defence stating: “Apple’s Complaint shows that it is monitoring and examining its employees’ phone records and text messages, in a stunning and disquieting invasion of privacy.”
The hearing is scheduled to take place on January 21st, 2020.
