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OpenAI says Apple's trade secrets lawsuit is 'aggressive and oddly personal'
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- DeepHorus
OpenAI has accused Apple of waging a “careless, aggressive and oddly personal lawsuit” in a blog post that rebuts the iPhone maker’s claims of stolen trade secrets. The ChatGPT maker stated on Monday evening that it does not have, nor want, any of Apple’s confidential information, calling the allegations vague and accusing Apple of shifting its narrative. This response marks the latest escalation in a legal dispute that began last month when Apple filed a lawsuit alleging OpenAI had stolen hardware designs as it prepared to launch its own AI-focused consumer devices.
The conflict arises as the two tech giants increasingly encroach on each other’s territory. OpenAI is venturing into consumer hardware, while Apple has partnered with Google to revamp its Siri voice assistant. Previously, the companies had collaborated to integrate AI technology into Apple products. However, the relationship deteriorated after OpenAI acquired io, the design studio founded by former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive, and subsequently hired several Apple employees.
In its lawsuit, Apple alleged that more than 400 of its former employees now work at OpenAI. Apple also claimed that it contacted OpenAI in February to warn about an internal investigation into potential theft of trade secrets but received no response. OpenAI countered that Apple’s lawyers had “emailed the wrong person after confusing two Asian last names” and had falsely claimed to have had a discussion with OpenAI’s General Counsel, a conversation Apple now concedes never happened.
The legal fight underscores the intensifying competition in artificial intelligence and consumer electronics. Analysts say the outcome could influence how companies protect intellectual property when employees move between rivals. Meanwhile, both firms are racing to define the next generation of AI-powered devices, making the dispute more than a mere legal spat—it reflects broader strategic clashes in the industry.
OpenAI’s strong denial may signal a tough legal defense ahead. The company appears confident that Apple’s claims lack substance, but the lawsuit could still disrupt OpenAI’s hardware ambitions. As the case progresses, observers expect more revelations about the hiring practices and confidential information handling at both companies. For now, the tech world watches closely to see whether this dispute reshapes partnerships and rivalries in Silicon Valley.
