OpenAI Addresses Apple’s Trade Secrets Case
Hours after Apple sought a preliminary injunction from a US court in its trade secrets case against OpenAI, the ChatGPT maker countered by asserting that the iPhone manufacturer had misrepresented the facts. In a blog post on Monday, OpenAI published email exchanges involving Apple’s legal representatives and communications between former Apple engineer Chang Liu and his previous colleagues. OpenAI characterised Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction as “based on false information” and “completely unnecessary. “Apple is one of the greatest companies of all time, and built a reputation for obsessing over the smallest details. This careless, aggressive and oddly personal lawsuit sadly doesn’t live up to that reputation,” the ChatGPT maker said.
OpenAI also contested Apple’s characterisation of their interactions prior to the lawsuit. Apple stated that it had reached out to the company in February but subsequently recognised that its external legal representatives had mistakenly emailed the incorrect individual due to a mix-up between two Asian surnames. It also said, ‘Apple also claimed they had a discussion with our General Counsel, which they now concede never happened. But they again hide the fact that they never raised the specific allegations in this lawsuit at that time, and that they in fact told us that they were “resolving any issues”.’ OpenAI reports that Apple maintained silence for a duration of five months prior to initiating the lawsuit.
OpenAI also countered Apple’s allegations against former Apple engineer Chang Liu by releasing text exchanges that it asserted contradicted the iPhone maker’s claims. It also said, “Apple also claimed they had a discussion with our General Counsel, which they now concede never happened. But they again hide the fact that they never raised the specific allegations in this lawsuit at that time, and that they in fact told us that they were resolving any issues”. OpenAI reports that communications revealed Apple employees persisted in reaching out to Liu following his exit, requesting assistance in locating files, transferring documents, and addressing technical enquiries. It was contended that the exchanges indicated Apple employees themselves sought Liu’s assistance, and that any ongoing access stemmed from Apple’s systems not completely revoking his access following his departure from the company.
On July 10, Apple initiated legal proceedings against OpenAI, its hardware division io Products, and two ex-employees—Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer, and Tang Yew Tan, the former product design chief for iPhone and Apple Watch, both of whom are currently affiliated with OpenAI. Apple has alleged that OpenAI orchestrated a broader effort to acquire and exploit its trade secrets through former employees, recruitment practices, and supplier relationships to accelerate its push into consumer hardware. The company has accused Liu of retaining confidential company information after departing from Apple, while alleging that Tan assisted in recruiting Apple employees to ventures associated with OpenAI. OpenAI has refuted the allegations, asserting that Apple’s claims are grounded in inaccurate information.
