Archive · 6 Aug 2026
OpenAI Asks US Judge to Dismiss Apple's Trade Secrets Lawsuit
Apple and OpenAI are two very big technology companies.
Apple makes the iPhone, and OpenAI makes ChatGPT, a computer program that can answer questions.
Apple thinks OpenAI got secret information about Apple's private projects.
Apple says some of its former workers brought secrets with them when they went to work for OpenAI.
OpenAI says that is not true.
It asked a judge to make the lawsuit go away.
OpenAI says Apple is just unhappy because some smart Apple workers chose to leave.
OpenAI also says Apple is using the lawsuit to hide problems with its own AI work.
A judge will now decide whether the case should continue.
OpenAI filed a motion asking a US federal judge to dismiss Apple's trade-secrets lawsuit, calling the complaint 'baseless and pretextual' and 'rotten to its core.'
OpenAI argued Apple filed the suit without adequate investigation and is using litigation to cover up its failures to integrate AI and retain talent.
Apple's complaint, filed in July, alleges OpenAI systematically obtained and exploited confidential information through former employees, recruiting practices, and supplier relationships.
Apple also alleged former iPhone engineer Chang Liu downloaded confidential hardware files after joining OpenAI by exploiting an authentication bug, and has cited at least 10 other former employees.
Apple has asked for a preliminary injunction to stop OpenAI from using allegedly stolen trade secrets and to return confidential Apple information while the case proceeds.
- Who
- Apple, OpenAI, OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Tan, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, and OpenAI employee Yu-Ting 'Alyssa' Peng.
- What
- OpenAI asked a US federal judge to dismiss Apple's trade-secrets lawsuit, calling it baseless and pretextual; Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction.
- When
- Apple filed its complaint in July; OpenAI filed its motion to dismiss on Wednesday.
- Where
- In a US federal court; Apple is based in Cupertino and OpenAI is based in San Francisco.
- Why
- Apple alleges OpenAI obtained confidential information by recruiting former employees to accelerate its consumer hardware ambitions; OpenAI says the suit is meant to cover Apple's failures in AI and talent retention.
Apple's Position
OpenAI's Position
Validity of the lawsuit
Apple's Position
Apple says it has evidence OpenAI systematically obtained and exploited its confidential information through former employees, recruiting practices, and supplier relationships.
OpenAI's Position
OpenAI says the complaint is baseless, filed without adequate investigation, and built on selectively excerpted communications and ordinary conduct stripped of context.
Nature of hiring practices
Apple's Position
Apple portrays the recruiting of its former employees as corporate espionage aimed at obtaining confidential hardware information.
OpenAI's Position
OpenAI says Tang Tan conducted interviews in line with industry-standard recruiting practices and former employees were actually trying to help Apple continue their work.
Chang Liu's conduct
Apple's Position
Apple alleges Chang Liu downloaded confidential hardware files after joining OpenAI by exploiting an authentication bug.
OpenAI's Position
OpenAI says Chang Liu was assisting a former Apple colleague who asked him to locate information needed for ongoing work.
- Lawsuit
- Apple v. OpenAI and chief hardware officer Tang Tan over alleged trade-secrets theft
- OpenAI's response
- Motion to dismiss filed Wednesday; complaint called 'baseless and pretextual' and 'rotten to its core'
- Apple's complaint
- Filed in July; alleges systematic theft of confidential information via former employees, recruiting, and supplier relationships
- Key individuals
- Tang Tan, Chang Liu, and Yu-Ting 'Alyssa' Peng
- Additional employees cited
- At least 10 other former Apple employees may have been involved
- Apple's request
- Preliminary injunction to stop use and require return of allegedly stolen trade secrets
- Core allegation
- Chang Liu downloaded confidential hardware files via an authentication bug after joining OpenAI
- Existing partnership
- Apple users can access ChatGPT results through Siri; iPhone users can subscribe via iOS settings
