Apple Accuses OpenAI of Poaching, Taking Parts, and Stealing Files; OpenAI Strikes Back with Chat Logs, Musk Says Don't Trust OpenAI

Apple filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on August 3, requesting the court to bar OpenAI, io Products, and former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan from accessing or using Apple's trade secrets. Apple also sought expedited discovery and depositions. OpenAI responded on its website with an article titled "Apple is getting this wrong," arguing that Apple's lawsuit is "hasty, aggressive, and unusually personal." OpenAI published iMessage logs and emails to counter Apple's claims, stating that Apple's external lawyers confused two Asian surnames, sending an email meant for a former employee to OpenAI's general counsel, and that Apple did not follow up for five months after initial contact. OpenAI also argued that Chang Liu's access to Apple files was to help former colleagues still at Apple, not to collect secrets for OpenAI, blaming Apple's failure to revoke system permissions promptly. OpenAI emphasized that it neither has nor wants any of Apple's trade secrets. The lawsuit, filed on July 10, alleges that OpenAI and its hardware subsidiary io Products stole trade secrets by recruiting Apple employees, obtaining internal files, and contacting suppliers. Apple seeks injunctions, return of devices, and damages, but no specific amount. Elon Musk posted on X, "Don't trust OpenAI," following the news.