Apple cracks down on accessory makers to discourage leaks

Follow the Apple rumor cycle and you’ll notice that accessory makers play animportant role in leaks — some of them “borrow” factory blueprints to produce cases and other add-ons for iPhones and iPads that are still weeks away from launch. Well, the crew at 1 Infinite Loop is apparently fed up with these companies spoiling the surprise. Sources for 9to5Mac claim that Apple made key accessory producers sign agreements preventing them from getting design details from anyone besides Apple itself. If the firms give in to the temptation and ship leak-based products, Apple warns of “penalties” that could include refusing to stock the offending goods at its stores.