OpenAI has filed a court document alleging a former employee transferred over 100 confidential files to a personal account before presenting them to Apple leadership.
Key facts
- •OpenAI alleges a former employee transferred over 100 files to a personal account before joining Apple.
- •The leaked information reportedly includes engineering data and images of an unreleased device.
- •OpenAI claims the stolen data influenced Apple's development of its new HomeView smart display.
- •Apple maintains it has found no evidence to support the allegations of trade secret misuse.
- •The ongoing lawsuit involves former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, who now work for OpenAI.
- •A trial for the trade secrets dispute is currently expected to take place in 2027.
OpenAI has accused a former employee of misappropriating more than 100 files related to its product plans and sharing them with Apple. In a federal court filing in San Jose, California, the company alleges the employee sent the data to a personal account and presented it to senior Apple leadership, including a vice president of operations in Asia. The allegation emerged amid an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit between the two companies.
Allegations of Stolen Trade Secrets
The filing claims the stolen materials include engineering data, supplier information, project files, and images of at least one unreleased device. OpenAI further alleges the files contained technical details regarding the coating and sealing of hardware components. The company expressed concern that its confidential information is now circulating within Apple, potentially allowing Apple engineers to shape future products based on OpenAI’s proprietary work. OpenAI suggests that Apple’s recent push into AI-enabled products, specifically citing the new HomeView smart display, is linked to the presentation given by the former employee months ago. Apple has denied these claims, stating it maintains policies to prevent new hires from using confidential information from previous employers and that it has found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations.
Ongoing Legal Dispute
The new allegations have delayed a scheduled court appearance between the two companies. The dispute originated from a lawsuit filed by Apple earlier this year, which accused former employees of taking confidential information to OpenAI’s hardware division. OpenAI has denied those initial allegations. US District Court Judge Edward Davila recently granted Apple limited early access to digital files from OpenAI and ordered depositions for three individuals, including former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan. While the case is currently scheduled for trial in October 2027, OpenAI has indicated it could be prepared for a trial as early as June 2027. OpenAI stated it may file a countersuit against Apple based on the new claims regarding the leaked files.
Timeline
- Earlier this yearApple filed a trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI.
- This weekApple released its HomeView smart display.
- June 2027OpenAI stated it could be ready for trial by this date.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Verge AI, Guardian AI.
