Every year, there is speculation on the new iPhones and iPad designs. Leaked photos and rumors come out months before the actual debut of the phone. Accessory makers often act on those rumors and start making cases way before the actual devices come out. Apple wants this to stop and is threatening these accessory companies with harsh words.

9to5Mac reports Apple as a company has been trying to keep its upcoming products secretive. When rumors and photos are leaked, these third party companies hurt Apple's current line of products by getting customers focused on the next generation of products.

Apple is demanding that these companies sign agreements promising not to obtain information about their new products from any source besides Apple. If they fail to agree to this, Apple will remove their products from Apple Store locations.

Third party accessory makers feel the pressure to get cases out as quickly as possible when new devices come out, however, and with Apple forcing them to wait, they may not be able to get enough cases designed, manufactured and shipped by the time the new device is out.

Apple usually releases the actual specifications of their new devices once they are announced to the public. That does not always give these third party companies enough time to create cases.

"... should Apple find that, prior to the release of a product, you have sought, obtained, or relied upon specifications of that product from sources other than Apple, Apple may choose to exercise its right to take action against you, which penalties can include, but are not limited to, Apple choosing not to stock your product in our stores," Apple worded its aggreement.

Now that Apple has to make room for the new Apple Watch, sources say that the company has removed between 60-70 percent of third party cases from their stores. The Apple Stores are also carrying more cases created and approved by Apple. For example, iPad Air 2 case is available inside Apple Stores, for a high price, and is hard to find anywhere else.

Because of Apple's desire to keep its products safe, customers could start seeing less third party cases available. They might have to rely on pricey Apple cases for their phones and iPads in the near future.

Related