Simon Lancaster, accused of stealing Apple’s trade secrets, admits he was in touch with a reporter

In his formal response, Simon Lancaster, the company’s former material lead, denied some and accepted some of Apple’s allegations. In March, it was reported that Apple has filed a lawsuit against Lancaster accusing him of stealing and trading the company’s secrets in exchange for favorable press coverage of his start-up venture.

For 11 years, Lancaster worked as material lead and product designer for iPad and MacBook line-up. Later he left the company to join materials research and development company, Arris.

Accused of theft, Simon Lancaster denies Apple’s conclusion stated in the lawsuit

Tech journalist @Nicholas Ciarelli spotted Lancaster’s filed response in which he denies misuse of power, abusing trust, and stealing company secrets. Although he did admit that he shared information about Apple products with a reporter, his communication is taken out of context.

Lancaster admits that he communicated with the technology reporter regarding Apple products after he announced his resignation from Apple. 

Lancaster admits that he communicated with the reporter via direct messenger applications during late 2018 and 2019.

Denying purposely selling the company’s secrets, he said that it was coincident that the reporter published an article on an alleged new product that was similar to what Lancaster was working on and his superiors at Apple knew of his association with the Startup.

Lancaster admits that in Spring 2019, he read a published report regarding a rumorednew product from Apple, about which Lancaster had no knowledge or involvement whatsoever,that appeared to be similar to a product being developed by a startup that Lancaster was thenadvising, and admits that he communicated about that public reporting with the reporter. Lancaster further avers that he had been advising the startup with his Apple superiors’ ongoing knowledge.

 In so far as the alleged communications with the reporter are taken out of context, and are apparently offered to suggest improper conduct or motives by Lancaster with respect to confidential Apple information. Lancaster admits that in Spring 2019, he read a published report regarding a rumorednew product from Apple, about which Lancaster had no knowledge or involvement whatsoever,that appeared to be similar to a product being developed by a startup that Lancaster was then advising, and admits that he communicated about that public reporting with the reporter.

Lancasterfurther avers that he had been advising the startup with his Apple superiors’ ongoing knowledge and consent, and that the startup’s product and technology had no relationship to Lancaster’sresponsibilities at Apple or to information Lancaster had received as an Apple employee. 

For all other allegations, he said that he “lacks sufficient knowledge or information to either admit or deny” them. Read the complete filing here.