Trending Now - Halide Co-founder Sues Ex-partner Over Alleged IP Theft

WHO:

Ben Sandofsky, CEO and co-founder of Lux Optics

Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of Lux Optics, now on Apple's design team

Apple Inc., technology company

WHAT:

Sandofsky filed a lawsuit against de With in the California Superior Court of Santa Cruz.

The lawsuit accuses de With of improperly using more than $150,000 in Lux corporate funds for personal expenses.

The lawsuit also alleges that de With took Lux source code and confidential material to Apple.

Apple considered acquiring Lux Optics in the summer of 2025 to enhance its built-in Camera app.

WHERE:

California Superior Court of Santa Cruz

Lux Optics, developer of the Halide app

WHEN:

Acquisition talks between Apple and Lux Optics occurred in the summer of 2025.

The acquisition discussions ended in September 2025.

de With was fired in December 2025.

de With joined Apple in late January 2026.

WHY:

Apple aimed to acquire Lux Optics to improve its camera software for the iPhone 18 Pro.

Sandofsky began investigating de With for alleged financial misconduct after the acquisition talks ended.

HOW:

Sandofsky's investigation into de With's financial conduct began shortly after the failed acquisition talks.

de With's attorney claimed the lawsuit was a retaliatory response to de With raising concerns about financial irregularities at Lux.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 01:35 UTC)

In a significant legal development, Ben Sandofsky, CEO and co-founder of Lux Optics, has filed a lawsuit against Sebastiaan de With, who was also a co-founder of Lux and is now part of Apple's design team, in the California Superior Court of Santa Cruz. The lawsuit accuses de With of misusing over $150,000 in corporate funds for personal expenses and alleges that he took confidential materials and source code to Apple, which had considered acquiring Lux Optics last summer to enhance its camera software. De With's attorney has responded by claiming that the lawsuit is a retaliatory measure following de With's concerns about financial irregularities at Lux.