Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Apple Defends Trade Secrets Lawsuit Against OpenAI Dismissal Bid
Apple is suing OpenAI and two former Apple employees over alleged theft of confidential information.
Apple says the information could help OpenAI develop consumer hardware.
OpenAI asked the court to throw out the case.
OpenAI says Apple has not clearly shown that protected trade secrets were taken or that it was harmed.
Apple disagrees and says its lawsuit gives enough specific details.
Apple also challenges OpenAI’s description of the information as ordinary supplier relationships.
The company says former employee Chang Liu accessed Apple’s network storage after leaving.
Apple alleges that Liu downloaded confidential files while working on hardware for OpenAI.
Apple urged a court to reject OpenAI’s request to dismiss its trade-secrets lawsuit.
Apple alleged OpenAI and former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan misappropriated confidential information.
OpenAI argued Apple had not identified protectable trade secrets, plausible misappropriation, or ongoing harm.
Apple said its complaint sufficiently identifies specific trade secrets and that OpenAI distorted its allegations.
Apple alleges Liu exploited an authentication vulnerability, accessed network storage, and downloaded confidential files after leaving.
- Who
- Apple sued OpenAI and former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan.
- What
- Apple opposed OpenAI’s request to dismiss a lawsuit alleging trade-secrets misappropriation.
- When
- Apple filed its response on Wednesday; the lawsuit was filed in July, and OpenAI sought dismissal earlier this month.
- Why
- Apple alleges confidential information was obtained and exploited to support OpenAI’s consumer-hardware ambitions.
Apple’s allegations
OpenAI’s defense
Whether the trade secrets were sufficiently identified
Apple’s allegations
Apple says its complaint identifies specific trade secrets in enough detail for the claims to proceed.
OpenAI’s defense
OpenAI says Apple has not demonstrated that it owns protectable trade secrets.
Whether misappropriation was plausibly alleged
Apple’s allegations
Apple alleges that former employee Chang Liu accessed Apple’s network storage and downloaded confidential materials while developing hardware for OpenAI.
OpenAI’s defense
OpenAI says Apple has not alleged conduct that plausibly supports a misappropriation claim.
Whether OpenAI benefited from Apple’s information
Apple’s allegations
Apple says confidential information was obtained and exploited to accelerate OpenAI’s consumer-hardware ambitions.
OpenAI’s defense
OpenAI says it is building something entirely new and different from Apple’s products and has no use, need, or desire for Apple’s trade secrets.
- Plaintiff
- Apple
- Defendants
- OpenAI, Chang Liu, and Tang Yew Tan
- Nature of lawsuit
- Alleged misappropriation of Apple trade secrets
- OpenAI’s position
- Apple allegedly failed to identify protectable trade secrets, plausibly allege misappropriation, or show injury and ongoing harm.
- Apple’s response
- Apple said its complaint identifies specific trade secrets and that OpenAI’s dismissal arguments rely on distortion, speculation, and improper extrinsic evidence.
- Alleged conduct by Liu
- Apple alleges Liu exploited an authentication vulnerability, accessed network storage, and downloaded dozens of confidential files after his departure.
- Stated purpose
- Apple alleges the information was used to benefit OpenAI’s consumer-hardware efforts.