Apple asked a federal court to restrict OpenAI from using alleged trade secrets as its investigation identified 11 additional former employees who may have relevant information.
Key Points:
- Apple seeks expedited discovery from OpenAI, io and several current or former employees as it presses for a preliminary injunction.
- The company says new evidence may extend beyond the two workers named in its original complaint.
- OpenAI denies possessing or seeking Apple trade secrets.
Apple Injunction
According to a court filing cited by TechCrunch, discovery should cover senior systems engineer Chang Liu, chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI, its foundation and io. The company wants depositions and faster document production.
Its continuing investigation identified 11 more former Apple employees who may have witnessed or participated in the alleged conduct, including OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng. Apple claimed one former worker discussed proprietary details about unannounced products before Peng’s interview, while another took screenshots of confidential documents before interviewing at OpenAI. Multiple former employees also contacted Apple after the complaint to return company-issued devices.
Apple argues the broader pattern gives it good cause to seek expedited discovery while its request for a preliminary injunction remains before the court.
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OpenAI Response
OpenAI rejected the allegations in a public response, calling the proposed injunction “based on false information” and unnecessary because it does not possess or want Apple’s trade secrets. It also disputed Apple’s account of earlier communications.
The company said Apple’s lawyers initially contacted the wrong person after confusing similar surnames and challenged claims about discussions with its general counsel.
OpenAI further argued that former employees retained “residual access” because Apple failed to properly remove system permissions, shifting attention toward the iPhone maker’s internal security controls. Apple has not accepted that explanation.
The injunction could affect OpenAI’s work on an AI device and other hardware projects tied to io, which Jony Ive co-founded after leaving Apple.
The case therefore reaches beyond employee conduct and into competition over future consumer devices.
Apple filed its original complaint in July, accusing OpenAI and former employees of misappropriating trade secrets to support a consumer hardware push, while OpenAI has denied wrongdoing.
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