Apple vs. OpenAI: Trade Secrets Lawsuit Heats Up

Apple is asking a federal judge to keep its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI alive. Apple says OpenAI's motion to dismiss relies on "distortion, speculation, and improper extrinsic evidence." Apple's 32-page opposition brief doubles down on its accusations against two former Apple employees now working for OpenAI. The lawsuit names OpenAI's hardware subsidiary, io Products, along with individuals Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan. Apple accuses OpenAI of a scheme to get confidential product information from former Apple employees. The original complaint also states over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. Apple claims Liu exploited a rare authentication bug to access Apple's internal network and downloaded confidential engineering files. These files reportedly detail how Apple manufactures and tests its main logic boards. Apple also alleges Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple, used internal Apple project code names to question job candidates about unreleased products. Tan even allegedly asked a current Apple employee for specific parts like batteries and main logic boards. OpenAI wants the court to dismiss the case, arguing Apple never identified a protectable trade secret. OpenAI also claims it has no interest in Apple’s confidential material. OpenAI suggested Liu’s downloads could be from device syncing.