Apple says more ex-employees may have taken confidential data to OpenAI
Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction against OpenAI, alleging that more former employees than previously identified may have misappropriated confidential trade secrets. The company is requesting expedited discovery to investigate potential intellectual property theft related to unannounced products.
Why it matters
This legal escalation highlights the intense competition and talent poaching occurring within the AI industry, raising significant concerns regarding corporate espionage.
Apple is now seeking a preliminary injunction in its trade secrets case against OpenAI, which aims to stop the AI model maker from moving forward with developing an AI device or other products based on Apple’s technology. The iPhone maker also claims that more of its former employees may be involved with the trade secrets theft.
In a new filing , Apple is requesting expedited discovery from the accused OpenAI employees, senior systems engineer Chang Liu and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan; OpenAI, and its foundation; and io, the device startup co-founded by Apple’s former lead designer Jony Ive.
Apple also notes that its continued investigation has so far revealed 11 other former Apple employees beyond Liu and Tan may have been witnesses or otherwise involved in the case, and others who were previously named in the original complaint, like OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng.
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