Apple sued in new options case

Apple Inc. and Chief Executive Steve Jobs were sued by shareholders in a case relying on a legal strategy different from similar lawsuits claiming the company improperly backdated stock option grants.

Filed under a sealing order in Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose, the case is “similar but not identical” to other so-called derivative lawsuits, said H. Adam Prussin, a lawyer representing shareholders.

Apple did not immediately comment.