Key facts
- Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction against OpenAI and two former employees.
- The lawsuit alleges misappropriation of Apple's trade secrets for consumer hardware development.
- Apple claims additional former employees may have taken confidential data.
- Apple has requested expedited discovery from OpenAI and accused employees.
- OpenAI denies the allegations, stating it does not possess Apple's trade secrets.
Apple is escalating its legal battle with OpenAI by seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the AI company's development of products based on allegedly stolen trade secrets. The iPhone maker claims that former Apple employees, including senior systems engineer Chang Liu and former vice president of product design Tang Yew Tan, misappropriated confidential information to advance OpenAI's consumer hardware initiatives. Apple also alleges that more than a dozen other former employees may be involved, citing evidence such as screenshots of confidential documents and discussions about proprietary information prior to interviews at OpenAI.
In response, OpenAI has publicly denied the allegations, stating that Apple's request is based on false information and that the company does not possess or desire any of Apple's trade secrets. OpenAI emphasized its focus on building innovative products and pushed back on Apple's claims regarding security procedures and communication. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, highlights potential competition in the AI-powered device market.