Apple vs. OpenAI: Trade Secrets Row Heats Up

Apple has expanded its legal dispute with OpenAI, sending formal notices to about 40 former employees now working at the ChatGPT maker. These notices instruct the former employees to preserve internal documents and communications, and to meet with Apple's corporate lawyers. This action follows a federal lawsuit filed by Apple, accusing OpenAI of trying to get confidential hardware designs and manufacturing blueprints. Apple's lawsuit specifically names two former employees now linked to OpenAI's hardware division: Tang Tan, formerly Apple's Vice President of Product Design and now OpenAI's Head of Hardware, and Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer for the iPhone. Apple believes these two individuals are just the beginning, stating that over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. By sending these notices to roughly 10% of those former employees, Apple aims to gather evidence to support its claim that OpenAI's hardware business uses misappropriated trade secrets. OpenAI, however, has rejected these allegations, stating it has no interest in competitors' trade secrets. This legal battle could significantly impact the future of hardware development in both companies.