OpenAI pushes back on Apple trade secret lawsuit
Original: OpenAI pushes back on Apple trade secret lawsuit
Why This Matters
The lawsuit highlights escalating tension between Apple and OpenAI as both compete in the consumer hardware and AI space.
OpenAI responded Tuesday to Apple's trade secret lawsuit, stating it is 'not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.' Apple filed the 41-page suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging former Apple employees at OpenAI obtained confidential IP.
OpenAI issued a statement Tuesday pushing back against Apple's trade secret lawsuit, saying: 'While we take these allegations seriously, we're not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.' The statement was first shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X.
Apple filed the 41-page complaint on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple engaged in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property. The suit names OpenAI Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a 24-year Apple veteran who held roles including VP of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Apple claims its internal investigation uncovered evidence that OpenAI used its confidential information in developing its own hardware product. OpenAI recently acquired Jony Ive's startup io, and Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the company is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker described as a 'humanlike AI companion' built with input from former Apple engineers. OpenAI's first statement after the filing stated: 'We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets.'