Several online retailers were able to sell protective cases for the iPad 2 even before the tablet’s launch, thanks to details leaked by some workers of Taiwan-based Foxconn Electronics- a major manufacturer of Apple’s products.

A Chinese-language website, sznews. com, has reported that three employees from Foxconn' Shenzhen, China-based plants were charged for leaking details of the Apple’s second-generation tablet.

According to the website, the three workers were arrested on December 26, 2010, and they were charged on March 23 this year.

The reputation of Foxconn, which manufactures Apple products like the iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air, suffered a blow last year after reports of suicides by its workers surfaced. The workers were reportedly under intense pressure due to harsh working conditions and low salaries.

The date for initiation of trial for the three charged workers and the penalties they may face could not be known.