Following a massive intellectual property lawsuit filed by Apple, OpenAI has issued a defiant new statement obtained by Bloomberg. The artificial intelligence lab claims it is not aware of any actual evidence to support Apple‘s claims of OpenAI corporate espionage, framing the legal fight around the basic right of tech workers to choose where they build their careers.
The legal battle began when Apple accused OpenAI of running a coordinated scheme to steal highly confidential hardware designs, vendor relationships, and manufacturing details. Apple’s complaint specifically targets Tang Tan, OpenAI’s current Chief Hardware Officer and a former 24-year Apple product design veteran, along with Chang Liu, a former senior systems electrical engineer at Apple.
An alleged heist at the highest levels
According to the lawsuit, Tan and Liu allegedly instructed Apple candidates interviewing at OpenAI to share secret specifications for unreleased devices and internal components. The complaints also claim that Liu kept his Apple-issued laptop and exploited an authentication bug to access protected documents while working at OpenAI.
In its court filing, Apple did not hold back. The firm claimed that OpenAI’s new hardware division sits on a rotten foundation built on stolen secrets.
OpenAI’s initial response to the allegations was short and dismissive. Strategic communications spokesperson Drew Pusateri wrote on X that the brand has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. However, the company’s latest official statement shifts the defense strategy toward defending employee mobility. OpenAI emphasizes its belief in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose. This suggests they will likely frame the lawsuit as an attempt by Apple to stop its top talent from leaving.
The 400-employee brain drain
The talent migration at the heart of this lawsuit is staggering. Apple’s filing notes that over 400 of its former employees have migrated to OpenAI over the last few years. By focusing on employee mobility, OpenAI is positioning itself as a defender of worker freedom against a trillion-dollar tech giant trying to lock down its workforce.
Apple is currently pushing for a jury trial to uncover more internal data through the discovery process. The company’s legal team is seeking an immediate injunction to stop OpenAI from using any disputed technical data to develop its highly anticipated AI consumer devices, alongside damages and breach of contract claims against both Tan and Liu.
The post OpenAI Fires Back at Apple’s Trade Secret Lawsuit: “No Evidence This Complaint Has Merit” appeared first on Android Headlines.
