Apple Deposes Leaker Jon Prosser in iOS 26 Case
▼ Summary
– Apple sued Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti for leaking trade secrets related to the iOS 26 redesign.
– The court entered a default judgment against Prosser for missing the deadline to answer Apple’s complaint.
– Apple is now coordinating to depose Prosser and obtain documents from him despite the default judgment.
– Apple continues to investigate the full scope of information Ramacciotti accessed from an employee’s iPhone.
– In the lawsuit, Apple is seeking damages, injunctive relief, and other remedies for the alleged trade secret misappropriation.
Apple has moved to formally question prominent tech leaker Jon Prosser as part of its ongoing lawsuit concerning the alleged theft of trade secrets related to an early version of iOS. In a recent joint status report filed with the court, the company disclosed it has served Prosser with subpoenas for documents and a deposition, indicating the legal process is advancing even after a default judgment was entered against him. This case centers on accusations that a former Apple employee’s development iPhone was compromised, with the information subsequently shared.
The legal dispute began last summer when Apple filed a complaint against Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti. The core allegation is that Ramacciotti illicitly accessed an iPhone belonging to then-Apple employee Ethan Lipnik. During this access, Ramacciotti reportedly conducted a FaceTime call with Prosser to display what Apple describes as the “Liquid Glass” redesign planned for a future iOS release. Lipnik was later terminated from his position at Apple.
Following the lawsuit’s filing, court documents indicate Ramacciotti engaged with both Apple’s legal team and the court. Prosser, however, did not file a formal response to the complaint by the required deadline. This failure led the court to grant Apple’s request for a default judgment on liability against Prosser last October. At that time, Prosser publicly contested the narrative, stating he had been in active communication with Apple and was not ignoring the case, though he provided no further legal details.
The newly filed status report reveals that while Apple continues its investigation into the extent of Ramacciotti’s access, it is also proceeding with discovery against Prosser. The company is working with Prosser to schedule his deposition, a formal questioning under oath. This step is significant because it will help establish precisely what confidential information was obtained and disseminated, which directly influences the potential damages Apple may seek. Even with a default judgment in place, these fact-finding procedures are crucial for the remedy phase of the trial.
In its original lawsuit, Apple outlined a series of demands it intends to pursue. The company has requested a jury trial and is seeking a judgment in its favor on all claims. The sought-after remedies include financial damages, both compensatory and punitive, citing what it calls “willful and malicious misappropriation of trade secrets.” Apple also wants a court order to prevent further disclosure of its confidential data and to secure the return or destruction of any such information. Additionally, the company aims to recover legal fees, costs, and interest.
The progression to a deposition suggests Apple is methodically building its case to quantify the harm from the alleged leak. The outcome could have notable implications for the tech industry’s approach to protecting unreleased product details and dealing with individuals who publish them.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
