Apple vs OpenAI trade secret theft lawsuit: Full story in 5 points
Follow UsApple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged theft of trade secrets.
Apple claims OpenAI encouraged Apple employees to share information, drawings and other confidential data related to upcoming products.
OpenAI has denied the allegations, saying it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets.
Apple recently filed a lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged theft of trade secrets. In its complaint, the tech giant claimed that OpenAI encouraged Apple employees to share information, drawings and other confidential data related to upcoming products. OpenAI has denied the allegations, saying it has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. The lawsuit marks a major change in the relationship between Apple and OpenAI. The two companies have worked together on AI features in recent years. Here is the full story explained in five points.
Survey1. Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing trade secrets
In the lawsuit, Apple claimed that OpenAI made a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information about its upcoming products. According to Bloomberg, more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.
“At every level, from members of its technical staff to its chief hardware officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information,” Apple said in the lawsuit.
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2. OpenAI hardware chief Tang Tan named in the lawsuit
Apple also named OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Tan in the case. an previously worked as Apple’s vice president of product design. He was involved in the development of products such as the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
In the lawsuit, the tech giant claimed Tan encouraged Apple employees to talk about unreleased products during job interviews. Apple alleged this was one of the ways OpenAI obtained sensitive information.
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3. Former iPhone engineer also faced allegations
Former Apple hardware engineer Chang Liu was also named in the lawsuit. Liu joined OpenAI in January. Apple claimed he accessed and downloaded dozens of confidential hardware files. “Over several weeks, while developing hardware for OpenAI, Mr. Liu surreptitiously accessed and downloaded dozens of Apple’s confidential hardware-related files, including voluminous, detailed information about unreleased products, engineering presentations, technical specifications and proprietary project data,” the lawsuit stated.
4. Apple claims departing employees were coached
Apple also claimed that OpenAI coached employees on how to leave the iPhone maker. According to the lawsuit, some employees were told not to reveal the name of their next employer. As per Apple, this allowed departing workers to get access to confidential information for a longer period.
The company now wants OpenAI to stop the alleged practices and destroy any Apple-owned confidential material. Apple also wants upcoming OpenAI products redesigned if they use its technology.
5. OpenAI denies Apple’s allegations
OpenAI has denied any interest in Apple’s confidential information. OpenAI Director of Strategic Communications Drew Pusateri shared the company’s response on X. “Our statement in response to this suit: We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere,” Pusateri wrote.
