Someone, Apple says, violated one of these confidentiality agreements when he or she disseminated product information about the "Asteroid" that subsequently was published by PowerPage and AppleInsider. Without taking into consideration the potential responsibility of a journalist to publish exclusive information about a product release prior to its launch, Apple says that the "unauthorized use and distribution of this information constitutes a violation of California's trade secret statute."

Apple maintains in its complaint that the information PowerPage and AppleInsider got when they uncovered exclusive details for their readership about Apple's Asteroid caused "irreparable harm to Apple," which is why the company "brings this action to seek the full measure of damages and other remedies permitted by law."

The harm to Apple is indeed significant when the public gains detailed, pre-release knowledge about its products, Apple says in its complaint. In addition to unfair advantage for its competitors, Apple says that it "makes significant investments in advertising and promotional activities surrounding the launch of a new product." When readers get inside knowledge about upcoming products, Apple says, the company "loses control over the timing and nature of product releases."