Apple takes legal action against former German App Store manager over new book

Tom Sadowski Book
Tom Sadowski Book (Image credit: @MurmannVerlag)

What you need to know

  • Apple has reportedly taken legal action against the former manager of Germany's App Store, over a newly-published book.
  • Tom Sadowski's book is titled App Store Confidential.
  • A report states Apple is concerned the book contains business secrets that are of considerable value to Apple.

Apple is reported to have taken legal action against the former manager of its German App Store business, over his publication of a new book that could contain "business secrets" that are of "considerable economic value".

According to Focus:

Apple is trying to take action against the publication of a book written by a former German manager of the group. The iPhone giant claims confidentiality and sees significant violations of the employment contract. According to information from the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit", Apple believes that the manager Tom Sadowski's work reveals "business secrets" that are "of considerable economic value" for the company. The book, published by Murmann Verlag in Hamburg, entitled "App Store Confidential" is a personal testimonial from former manager Tom Sadowski, who headed the App Store's German business until November 2019. He denies disclosing business secrets in his book.

A letter sent by Apple's lawyers reportedly told Sadowski and his publisher to stop deliveries of the book, recall all copies in circulation and to destroy all manuscripts. It claims that Sadowski has violated his employment relationship.

The description of the work states:

In "App Store Confidential", Tom Sadowski, who was last responsible for the app business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, gives exciting insights into the app economy. How does an app in the store become successful and even "App of the Year"? What dos and don'ts apply when working with Apple? And how does it work for the tech giant from Silicon Valley, around whom myths and legends are based?Tom Sadowski emerges from the shadow of the group and tells honestly and directly about his way to Apple, his personal experiences in the app business and meetings with Apple CEO Tim Cook. "App Store Confidential" is an inside look behind the scenes of the cult company that has changed our lives forever with the iPhone, iPad, App Store and Co.

The about the author section describes Sadowski as a "rapper, ski instructor, management consultant and long-time Apple manager". In conclusion, the report states:

On request, Apple informed the time: "Apple has long supported a free press and supports authors of all kinds." Sadowski had "violated his employment relationship". The company's "employment guidelines" would be "applied equally and fairly" to all employees.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9