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.
Oppo Watch X3 – image credit: 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.