• 2 min read
OpenAI rejects Apple’s trade secret claims
OpenAI says it has seen no evidence backing Apple’s trade secret lawsuit, days after Apple accused former employees of taking confidential information.
Image: TechCrunch
OpenAI has publicly pushed back on Apple’s trade secret lawsuit, saying it is not aware of evidence supporting the complaint.
“While we take these allegations seriously, we’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit,” OpenAI said in a statement first shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X. “We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
The statement came several days after Apple filed suit against the company, alleging that OpenAI employees who previously worked at the iPhone maker took part in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property.
According to the report, Apple’s 41-page complaint, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, levels a series of accusations at OpenAI leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan. Before joining OpenAI, Tan spent 24 years at Apple and held senior roles including vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This is the first time OpenAI has commented directly on the case. In an initial statement issued hours after Apple filed the lawsuit, the company told TechCrunch:
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“We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
Apple argues that an internal investigation found evidence that OpenAI and its partners used the company’s confidential information while developing their own hardware product. That claim lands as reports continue to point to OpenAI’s hardware ambitions, especially after its recent acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io.
Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OpenAI is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, described by people familiar with the plans as a “humanlike AI companion” intended for the home. The device reportedly has no screen, includes moving mechanical elements, and is being built with input from several former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac.
TechCrunch said it has contacted OpenAI for further comment and will update its report if the company responds.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
via TechCrunch
