OpenAI has publicly responded to Apple's trade secret lawsuit, rejecting the allegations and stating that it is not aware of any evidence supporting the claims. The AI company said it believes in fair competition and employee freedom while remaining focused on developing innovative technology.
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OpenAI Says Apple's Complaint Lacks Merit
On Tuesday, July 14, OpenAI issued a statement pushing back against Apple's allegations, suggesting the complaint is unsupported.
"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 is OpenAI's first direct response to the lawsuit itself.
Apple Filed the Lawsuit Days Earlier
Apple filed the lawsuit several days before OpenAI's statement, accusing the AI company of engaging in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information through employees who previously worked at the iPhone maker.
The 41-page complaint was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
According to Apple, the lawsuit contains multiple allegations against OpenAI leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan.
Tang Tan Named in Apple's Complaint
Apple's complaint specifically references Tang Tan, who joined OpenAI after spending 24 years at Apple.
During his time at Apple, Tan held several senior leadership positions, including Vice President of Product Design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple includes him among the individuals connected to the allegations outlined in the lawsuit.
OpenAI Previously Denied Interest in Competitors' Trade Secrets
Following Apple's filing, OpenAI initially responded with a broader statement that did not directly address the legal case.
Hours after the lawsuit became public, the company told TechCrunch:
"We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
Its latest statement expands on that position by directly responding to Apple's complaint and stating that it believes the allegations lack supporting evidence.
Apple Says Internal Investigation Found Evidence
According to the lawsuit, Apple says its internal investigation uncovered evidence that OpenAI and its partners used the company's confidential information while developing their own hardware product.
The lawsuit alleges that confidential information and intellectual property belonging to Apple were improperly obtained as part of those hardware development efforts.
What's Next
The dispute between Apple and OpenAI is now before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. While Apple maintains that its internal investigation uncovered evidence supporting its claims, OpenAI says it is unaware of any evidence showing the complaint has merit and continues to emphasize fair competition and its focus on building innovative technology.
As the legal proceedings continue, further developments are expected as both companies present their positions in court.
