A federal judge didn't buy Oppo's OpenAI-like arguments about IP theft by an engineer that allegedly took Apple Watch trade secrets to Oppo. In August 2025, Apple accused ex-employee Chen Shi of sharing confidential Apple Watch details with Chinese rival Oppo. According to *Courthouse News*, he is accused of having done so in order to secure a job with what US District Judge Eumi Lee calls "a generous salary."
Now Judge Lee has ruled that the case can proceed. Specifically, she said that Apple's claims of breach of contract alone are sufficient that she would not dismiss the case. In her six-page ruling, Judge Lee uses the word "plausibly" to describe Apple's allegations 14 times.
Oppo argued that the information was not a trade secret. Judge Lee ruled that Apple made specific allegations concerning at least one trade secret. Oppo also argued Apple uses the term so broadly that Shi "cannot practice as an engineer in the health-sensing field without violating it." Judge Lee disagreed.
Defendants Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. and Inno Peak Technology, Inc. now have until October 21, 2026, to file a responsive pleading.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing