OpenAI and Apple are now locked in a legal fight. The ChatGPT maker has pushed back against claims that it took Apple trade secrets, saying the lawsuit stems from problems inside the iPhone maker and its staff exit process.
OpenAI rejects Apple’s trade secret claims
As reported by The Hindu, OpenAI denied Apple’s claims in a filing made in a US court in San Jose. The company said Apple had not shown that confidential information was stolen by former workers who later joined OpenAI. The lawsuit names Tang Tan and Chang Liu. Both once worked for Apple and now work at OpenAI. Apple says they wrongly took or accessed information linked to hardware design, manufacturing and supply work. The claims come as OpenAI works on new consumer devices.
OpenAI called the case baseless and said Apple was using it to slow a growing rival. The AI company also said the dispute could hurt its ability to hire workers from Apple. OpenAI has hired about 400 former Apple employees for its hardware work. The case is not only about two former workers. It also shows how strongly the two firms now compete for people and ideas.
Former workers and offboarding at centre of fight
OpenAI has focused on Apple’s staff exit process. The company says Apple encouraged workers to use personal iCloud accounts for documents. It also says departing staff were quickly taken out of Apple offices, leaving little time to return devices, move files back, or finish handovers. OpenAI said these practices made it harder for former staff to separate personal material from company files.
The two workers have also rejected the accusations. OpenAI said Liu told the court that any later access to Apple documents was linked to helping former colleagues find files or answer work questions. Tan said he returned Apple prototypes and kept only material that was not confidential. Apple has not accepted those arguments. Its case is still moving through court, and the claims against OpenAI have not been decided.
A partnership that turned into a legal battle
The fight is striking because they were not always rivals. The two companies had formed a partnership two years ago to bring ChatGPT into Apple’s products. That relationship later weakened as both sides moved deeper into AI and consumer technology. OpenAI had earlier called Apple’s lawsuit careless, aggressive and oddly personal. The company said it did not have, and did not want, Apple’s trade secrets. Apple, meanwhile, has sought court action to stop any use or disclosure of their information.
The dispute has become bigger than a normal hiring fight. OpenAI wants to build AI devices that could compete in areas long linked with Apple. Apple wants to protect its product work and confidential systems. Both companies are also fighting for skilled workers across the industry. There is still no final ruling on the claims. That means the next court steps will matter. For now, both sides are defending their version of events.
Author’s Opinion
This case is about more than trade secrets. It also reflects the growing fight for talent and new ideas. Both sides have strong reasons to defend themselves, so the court will need to separate real evidence from claims made during a fierce business rivalry.
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