"Apple's DNA is innovation and the protection of our trade secrets is crucial to our success," said the company in a statement to Reuters, which also confirmed the civil action against those who posted the trade secrets on-line.
The computer giant filed suit ahead of the MacWorld San Francisco conference, due to take place between the 10th and 14th of January, at which the latest Apple innovations are traditionally revealed.
Guessing what these revelations will be has become something of a game with Mac fans, as rumours fly in the forums. The hot tip for this year is that Apple CEO Steve Jobs will unveil a new type of iPod. But with the formal announcement still several weeks away, Apple is remaining tight-lipped.
The lawsuit will be amended as and when the "John Does", as unnamed defendants are known in the US, are finally identified.