Apple filed a fresh motion in federal court asserting that a dozen former employees could have passed proprietary data to OpenAI. The tech giant is asking a judge to grant a preliminary injunction that would stop OpenAI from developing any devices that might rely on Apple’s undisclosed technology. In the same filing, Apple requests expedited discovery to uncover the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
The new claim builds on earlier accusations against two ex‑Apple engineers—Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer, and Tang Yew Tan, a former vice president—who were previously accused of sharing trade secrets with the AI firm. Apple now says its internal investigation identified eleven additional former staff members who either witnessed or directly participated in the suspected information transfers.
According to the court documents, one former employee met with Liu before his interview at OpenAI and discussed Apple’s proprietary information related to unannounced products. Another ex‑employee allegedly captured screenshots of confidential Apple documents before meeting OpenAI representatives. The filing also notes that several former Apple workers now employed at OpenAI reached out to Apple about returning work devices they kept after leaving the company.
OpenAI responded to Apple’s earlier injunction request by labeling the claim "based on false information and completely unnecessary." The AI company released text messages suggesting Apple had contacted Liu after his departure to locate certain files, framing the incident as a failure of Apple’s exit‑process controls rather than a theft of trade secrets. OpenAI has not yet commented on the latest allegations or the request for expedited discovery.
Rumors have swirled that OpenAI is developing an AI‑enabled smart speaker in collaboration with former Apple design chief Jony Ive, whose startup io Products was acquired for $6.5 billion and named as a co‑defendant in the lawsuit. While Apple’s filing does not directly link the alleged leaks to that project, the broader context raises questions about how former Apple talent may be influencing competitors in the fast‑moving artificial‑intelligence market.
The dispute highlights the challenges tech firms face in protecting intellectual property as employees move between companies. Apple’s aggressive legal strategy underscores its determination to safeguard upcoming products, while OpenAI’s rebuttal points to procedural lapses on Apple’s side rather than any illicit use of its technology. The court’s decision on the injunction and discovery request will shape how aggressively companies can pursue former staff for alleged data breaches in the AI era.
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