Openai Challenges Apple's Trade Secrets Lawsuit as Groundless
WHO:
TechCrunch - OpenAI, Apple, Chang Liu (former Apple staffer now working for OpenAI)
WHAT:
The Verge - OpenAI describes Apple's lawsuit as "rotten to its core" in its motion to dismiss.
The Verge - OpenAI's dismissal filing states, “OpenAI is building something entirely new and different from anything at Apple."
TechCrunch - OpenAI's legal strategy includes newly filed court exhibits that show Apple's security practices undermine its trade secrets claims.
TechCrunch - OpenAI describes Apple's lawsuit as "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal."
The Verge - OpenAI claims that Chang Liu was simply assisting ex-colleagues who asked him for help, countering allegations of wrongdoing.
Techmeme - OpenAI states that if the case survives, discovery could expose sensitive details about both companies' hiring, hardware development, and data-security practices.
TechCrunch - OpenAI's legal strategy argues that Apple’s own security and offboarding practices, including allowing an Apple manager to access a former engineer’s iCloud account after he left the company, undermine its claims regarding the protection of allegedly stolen information.
The Verge - OpenAI describes Apple's lawsuit as "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal," suggesting that spats like these risk harming both companies.
Techmeme - OpenAI states that if the case survives, discovery could expose sensitive details about both companies' hiring, hardware development, and data-security practices.
The Verge - OpenAI has filed a motion to dismiss Apple's lawsuit accusing it of stealing trade secrets, describing the allegations as “meritless.”
The Verge - OpenAI claims that Apple’s case is poorly investigated and built on selective or out-of-context communications.
The Verge - OpenAI argues that Apple mischaracterizes the actions of its employees as theft and “generic” product development information as “trade secrets.”
The Verge - OpenAI states that Apple should not be allowed to use a “baseless and pretextual lawsuit” to compensate for its failures in the market for talent and AI integration.
The Verge - Apple has requested a preliminary injunction to prevent OpenAI and the employees named in the complaint from accessing or using alleged confidential information.
WHEN:
The Verge - Apple requested a preliminary injunction on Monday to prevent OpenAI from accessing or using alleged confidential information while the lawsuit proceeds.
The Verge - The judge is set to hear arguments on OpenAI's motion to dismiss on October 1st.
WHY:
The Verge - OpenAI argues that Apple made no reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy regarding the information it claims was stolen.
The Verge - OpenAI claims that Apple’s lawsuit stems from its shortcomings in retaining employees and integrating AI into its products.
HOW:
TechCrunch - OpenAI's legal strategy argues that Apple’s own security and offboarding practices undermine its claims regarding the protection of allegedly stolen information.
(UPDATED August 7, 2026 16:44 UTC)
OpenAI has described Apple's lawsuit as "rotten to its core" in its motion to dismiss, asserting that it is developing something entirely new and different from anything Apple offers. In its legal strategy, OpenAI has filed new court exhibits that argue Apple's security practices actually undermine its claims regarding trade secrets. Meanwhile, Apple has requested a preliminary injunction to prevent OpenAI from accessing or using any alleged confidential information while the lawsuit moves forward.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 10:46 UTC)
OpenAI has described Apple's lawsuit as "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal," while also asserting that Chang Liu was merely helping former colleagues who sought his assistance, countering any allegations of wrongdoing. The company further claims that if the case proceeds, discovery could reveal sensitive information about the hiring practices, hardware development, and data-security measures of both firms. Additionally, OpenAI argues that Apple did not take reasonable steps to keep the information it alleges was stolen confidential.
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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 00:49 UTC)
OpenAI is challenging Apple's lawsuit by arguing that the company's own security and offboarding practices undermine its claims about protecting allegedly stolen information, particularly highlighting an incident where an Apple manager accessed a former engineer's iCloud account after their departure. The tech firm describes Apple's legal action as "careless, aggressive, and oddly personal," warning that such disputes could be detrimental to both companies. Furthermore, OpenAI suggests that if the case proceeds, the discovery process could reveal sensitive information regarding the hiring, hardware development, and data-security practices of both organizations.
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(UPDATED August 6, 2026 18:32 UTC)
OpenAI has filed a motion to dismiss Apple's lawsuit, which accuses the company of stealing trade secrets, arguing that the allegations are “meritless” and poorly investigated. The tech firm claims that Apple mischaracterizes employee actions as theft and generic product development information as trade secrets, while also stating that Apple should not use a “baseless and pretextual lawsuit” to address its own market challenges. A judge is scheduled to hear arguments on OpenAI's motion to dismiss on October 1st.