Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction that would prevent OpenAI and two former Apple employees from using or disclosing trade secrets allegedly taken from the iPhone maker. Apple argues that the information could support OpenAI’s development of an AI device and other consumer hardware products.
The request expands a lawsuit Apple filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California on July 10. The defendants include OpenAI, its foundation, io Products and former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan.
Apple Requests Expedited Discovery
Apple has asked the court to accelerate the exchange of evidence while its injunction request remains pending. The company wants documents and testimony from Liu, Tan, OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng, another unnamed former Apple employee, OpenAI representatives and io.
Liu previously worked as a senior systems electrical engineer at Apple, while Tan served as vice-president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Tan is now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer.
Apple’s original court complaint accused the former employees of taking confidential hardware information, supplier details and materials involving unannounced products. It alleges that OpenAI benefited from a coordinated effort to obtain Apple’s proprietary information.
Investigation Identifies More Former Employees
Apple said its continuing investigation had identified 11 additional former employees who may have witnessed or participated in relevant conduct. The company has not publicly identified all of them.
According to Apple’s filing, one former employee met Liu and Peng before Peng interviewed at OpenAI and discussed confidential information related to unreleased Apple products. Another allegedly captured screenshots of confidential documents before an OpenAI interview.
Apple also said several former employees working at OpenAI contacted the company after the lawsuit was filed to return Apple-issued devices they had retained. Apple argues that these findings justify faster access to documents, devices and testimony.
OpenAI Rejects Apple’s Allegations
OpenAI said Apple’s injunction request relied on false information and was unnecessary because the company neither possesses nor wants Apple’s trade secrets. In an official response, OpenAI described the lawsuit as careless, aggressive and personal.
OpenAI also accused Apple of making factual errors while investigating the matter. It said Apple’s legal team initially contacted the wrong person after confusing two employees with similar surnames and misrepresented earlier discussions with OpenAI’s general counsel.
The company argued that some former employees retained access to Apple systems because of weaknesses in Apple’s departure procedures. OpenAI said Apple continued contacting Liu about work matters after he left, which it presented as evidence that Apple had not removed his access properly.
Apple is asking the court to prohibit OpenAI, io, Liu and Tan from using its confidential information while the case proceeds. The court has not yet ruled on the preliminary injunction or Apple’s request for expedited discovery.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
For more stories like it, click the +Follow button at the top of this page to follow us.