Apple Settles Lawsuit with Chip Startup Rivos over Trade Secrets
In a surprising turn of events, tech giant Apple has decided to settle its long-standing lawsuit with chip startup Rivos. The lawsuit, which was first filed by Apple in May 2022, accused Rivos of stealing trade secrets and poaching engineers with access to sensitive company information. Now, after two years of legal battles, the two companies have informed a judge that they are working towards finalizing a settlement by March 15.
According to Apple’s complaint, Rivos initiated a coordinated campaign in June 2021 to target Apple employees who had access to proprietary and trade secret information about Apple’s System-on-a-Chip (SoC) designs. The lawsuit alleged that these engineers stole gigabytes of sensitive specifications and design files at the request of Rivos as part of their recruitment process. Apple’s claims were met with a counter-lawsuit from Rivos in September 2023, accusing Apple of using intimidation tactics to prevent their engineers from leaving.
However, in a recent filing spotted by Bloomberg, both Apple and Rivos expressed their intention to settle the lawsuit and are currently working towards finalizing the agreement. The filing stated that the settlement includes provisions for remediation of Apple’s confidential information through a forensic examination of Rivos systems and other activities. The details of the settlement are yet to be disclosed, but it seems that both parties are committed to resolving the matter amicably.
This is not the first time Apple has been involved in legal disputes related to its chip technology. In April 2023, the company quietly withdrew a lawsuit against former executive Gerard Williams III. Williams, who played a critical role in the development of Apple’s high-performance A-series and M-series Apple Silicon chips, left the company in 2019 to start his own server chip startup called Nuvia. Nuvia was subsequently acquired by Qualcomm in 2021.
The settlement between Apple and Rivos marks a significant development in the ongoing battle over trade secrets in the tech industry. It highlights the importance of protecting proprietary information and the potential consequences for companies that engage in unethical practices to gain a competitive edge. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for companies to prioritize ethical conduct and respect intellectual property rights.
While the details of the settlement are yet to be finalized, this resolution brings an end to a contentious legal battle between Apple and Rivos. It remains to be seen how this settlement will impact the future of both companies and their respective positions in the chip industry. However, one thing is clear – the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property will remain a top priority for companies operating in the highly competitive tech sector.
Disclaimer: This article contains general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please consult with a legal professional for specific advice regarding your situation.