started · updated
Apple seeks injunction as OpenAI moves to dismiss trade‑secrets lawsuit
Apple filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on July 10, alleging that OpenAI obtained and used Apple’s confidential hardware information through former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan. Apple has asked the court for a preliminary injunction to stop OpenAI from using or disclosing any alleged trade secrets and has requested accelerated discovery, citing the identification of eleven additional former Apple staff who may have been involved.
OpenAI responded by filing a motion to dismiss the case, calling Apple’s claims meritless and arguing that the complaint does not specify any protectable trade secrets. The company says Apple’s own security practices—such as allowing former employees to retain access to personal iCloud accounts—undermine the claim of secrecy. OpenAI submitted text‑message excerpts showing Apple managers contacting former engineers for assistance rather than stealing data. A hearing on Apple’s injunction request and OpenAI’s motion is scheduled for October 1.
The dispute centers on whether Apple’s alleged confidential information meets the legal standard for trade‑secret protection and whether OpenAI’s recruitment of former Apple staff constitutes unlawful acquisition of such information.
Entities
Apple Inc. · Chang Liu · Jony Ive · OpenAI · Sam Altman · Tang Yew Tan · Yu‑Ting Peng
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 16 SOURCES] Apple seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent OpenAI and the former employees from using or disclosing alleged confidential information. digitalmarketreports.com · cincodias.elpais.com · coinacademy.fr · dailyguardian.ca · www.papergeek.fr · +11 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] A hearing on Apple’s preliminary injunction request and OpenAI’s motion to dismiss is scheduled for October 1. dailyguardian.ca · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · www.mathrubhumi.com · digitalmarketreports.com · +12 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] OpenAI filed a motion to dismiss Apple’s lawsuit, calling the allegations meritless. digitalmarketreports.com · cincodias.elpais.com · coinacademy.fr · dailyguardian.ca · www.papergeek.fr · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] The defendants named in Apple’s complaint include OpenAI, its foundation, io Products, and former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan. digitalmarketreports.com · cincodias.elpais.com · coinacademy.fr · dailyguardian.ca · www.papergeek.fr · +13 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] OpenAI provided text‑message excerpts showing former Apple staff contacted Chang Liu for help locating information, not stealing it. cincodias.elpais.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · digitalmarketreports.com · autogpt.net · +10 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Apple’s investigation identified eleven additional former employees who may have been involved. digitalmarketreports.com · www.papergeek.fr · www.techritual.com · www.gamebusiness.jp · influencermagazine.uk · +10 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Apple filed a lawsuit on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging OpenAI stole trade secrets. digitalmarketreports.com · cincodias.elpais.com · coinacademy.fr · dailyguardian.ca · www.papergeek.fr · +13 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] OpenAI asserts it has no use, need, or desire for Apple’s trade secrets and is building something entirely new. dailyguardian.ca · www.techritual.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · www.mathrubhumi.com · +13 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Apple’s complaint fails to describe any protectable trade secret information. www.deccanchronicle.com