OpenAI has responded publicly to Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit, calling the case "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal" while disputing several of the iPhone maker’s key allegations.
Apple sued OpenAI in July, accusing the company of systematically obtaining confidential information through former Apple employees and improper hiring practices. The lawsuit alleges that ex-Apple staff exploited internal access, brought proprietary hardware into job interviews, and that OpenAI fostered a culture that encouraged such behavior.
In a new blog post, OpenAI denied the allegations and published what it says is evidence contradicting Apple’s claims.
According to OpenAI, Apple’s legal team mistakenly emailed the wrong person after confusing two employees with similar Asian last names. The AI company said Apple had previously claimed it contacted OpenAI in February but later acknowledged that its outside lawyers had sent the message to the wrong recipient.
OpenAI also disputed Apple’s assertion that the companies had discussed the matter with OpenAI’s general counsel, saying Apple has now admitted that no such conversation took place.
The company further challenged Apple’s claims involving former Apple engineer Chang Liu. OpenAI said internal messages show Apple employees contacted Liu after he left the company, asking him to locate files and answer technical questions. OpenAI argued this reflected Apple’s failure to properly revoke former employees’ system access rather than any wrongdoing by Liu or OpenAI.
The legal battle intensified this week after Apple asked a U.S. court to block OpenAI, Liu, former Apple executive Tang Tan, and io Products from accessing or disclosing its trade secrets while the case proceeds. Apple also requested expedited depositions of several current OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple.
The dispute marks another escalation in the deteriorating relationship between the two companies, which worsened after OpenAI recruited several high-profile former Apple executives, including legendary designer Jony Ive.