OpenAI has asked a federal judge to dismiss Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit, arguing that the case relies on weak claims and fails to identify what confidential information the AI company allegedly received or used.
Bloomberg reports that OpenAI defended Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple before co-founding io Products with Jony Ive. OpenAI said Tan followed standard recruiting practices when speaking with Apple employees and did not run a scheme to collect protected information.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
OpenAI also defended senior systems engineer Chang Liu, one of the former Apple employees named in the lawsuit. Apple claims Liu accessed confidential hardware files after discovering an authentication issue, while OpenAI said he was helping a former colleague locate information for their own work.
OpenAI challenges Apple’s evidence
Axios reports that OpenAI also questioned how Apple built its case, arguing that Apple’s own security practices left former employees with access to certain systems and personal messages. The company said those problems do not prove that OpenAI coordinated any theft.
OpenAI also disputed Apple’s account of earlier communication between the two companies, saying Apple’s outside lawyers contacted the wrong employee after confusing two people with similar surnames.
Apple has separately asked the judge for a preliminary injunction that would stop OpenAI from using any alleged trade secrets while the case continues. Apple also wants faster discovery involving Liu, Tan, OpenAI, io, and other former employees.
OpenAI must formally respond to the injunction request by August 17, while the judge plans to hear arguments on October 1.
Discussion