Software Engineer Sues Apple Over Conspiracy to Limit Competition

Apple alongside a handful of high-profile companies in the tech industry is facing legal action from Joseph R. Saveri of the national plaintiffs’ law firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, on behalf of Siddharth Hariharan, a former software engineer at Lucasfilm and founder and CEO of InEarth, over antitrust law violations.

Joseph R. Saveri announced this week that Hariharan filed a class action lawsuit charging that several U.S. high-tech companies, including Apple, violated antitrust laws by conspiring to fix the pay of their employees and entering into “No Solicitation” agreements with each other.

Specifically, the complaint cites Apple Inc., Adobe Systems Inc., Google Inc., Intel Corporation, Intuit Inc., Lucasfilm Ltd., and Pixar.

It should be noted for our readers that Apple recently snagged someone from Lucasfilm to handle their audio projects, while Pixar is owned by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Pixar actually emerged as part of the Computer Division of Lucasfilm.

The complaint seeks restitution for lost compensation and treble damages for the anti-competitive employment practices of Apple and the rest of the bunch.

Commenting on the action, Mr. Hariharan said, “My colleagues at Lucasfilm and I applied our skills, knowledge, and creativity to make the company an industry leader.”

“It’s disappointing that, while we were working hard to make terrific products that resulted in enormous profits for Lucasfilm, senior executives of the company cut deals with other premiere high tech companies to eliminate competition and cap pay for skilled employees.”

Joseph R. Saveri also weighs in on the matter, saying, “Competition in the labor market results in better salaries, enhanced career opportunities for employees, and better products for consumers.

“We estimate that because of reduced competition for their services, compensation for skilled employees at Adobe, Apple, Google, Intel, Intuit, Lucasfilm, and Pixar was reduced by 10 to 15 percent,” stated Mr. Saveri.

“These companies owe their tremendous successes to the sacrifices and hard work of their employees, and must take responsibility for their misconduct.”