OpenAI alleged in federal court that a former employee sent more than 100 confidential files on an unreleased device to personal accounts before rejoining Apple.
Key Points:
- OpenAI says an ex-staffer sent over 100 files on an unreleased device to personal accounts on his last day.
- The filing claims he later briefed senior Apple leaders, while Apple says it found no supporting evidence.
- The accusation lands in a trade secrets case Apple itself brought against OpenAI in July.
OpenAI Trade Secrets Claim
OpenAI submitted the document Tuesday in U.S. federal court in San Jose, California, saying a recent forensic investigation tied to the lawsuit had uncovered the transfer. The employee had joined OpenAI from Apple and stayed six months.
He sent the files on Jun. 2, his last day at OpenAI, the filing alleges. They included detailed images of at least one unreleased device, along with engineering, manufacturing and supplier data. The batch also held cosmetic finish standards and coating and sealing reports, OpenAI says.
OpenAI further claims the employee later presented its plans to senior Apple leadership, including Apple's vice president of operations in Asia. Apple said it found no evidence to support the claims, adding that its policies stop new hires from using confidential information from former employers.
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Apple HomeView Concerns
OpenAI ties the alleged leak to Apple's own product plans, arguing the presentation happened months ago and Apple is now making a new push into AI-enabled products. It cited the HomeView device Apple released this week. The company said it is "very concerned" that its confidential work now circulates inside Apple, where engineers could use it to shape upcoming products.
OpenAI also says it raised the issue directly with Apple but has not received assurances that Apple does not hold or use its trade secrets. Until now, Apple had played the accuser.
The Lawsuit
At Wednesday’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila said he is “highly likely” to grant Apple’s preliminary injunction, while OpenAI agreed not to use the alleged trade secrets as the case proceeds.
Apple sued OpenAI on Jul. 10, naming former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, now OpenAI's chief hardware officer, and saying over 400 ex-Apple workers had joined OpenAI.
In August, OpenAI asked the judge to throw out the case, calling the complaint "rotten to its core," a phrase Apple had used first. By month's end, Apple accused OpenAI of destroying evidence.
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