Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade‑secret theft; company releases internal text chain

Key Points

• Apple sues OpenAI, alleging former Apple engineers helped steal trade secrets.
• Two ex‑Apple staff members – a 25‑year veteran and a decade‑long iPhone engineer – are named in the complaint.
• OpenAI denies the claims, saying Apple mixed up the names of former employee Lui Chang and OpenAI counsel Che Chang.
• OpenAI released a text thread between Lui Chang and an unidentified Apple employee, showing routine technical discussion.
• The messages reference silicon‑carbon batteries, schematics, and internal team folders, not overt espionage.
• Apple seeks a preliminary injunction and predicts success on its trade‑secret claims.
• The dispute highlights challenges of protecting proprietary information amid talent migration.