The conflict between Apple and OpenAI has significantly worsened after OpenAI refuted Apple's accusations of stealing trade secrets. The company stated that the iPhone manufacturer failed to demonstrate the existence of confidential information stolen by former employees.
In documentation filed with a California court late Monday evening, OpenAI noted: 'This dispute is a mess created by Apple itself, and it is trying to blame everyone else.'
In July, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two former Apple employees, Tanga Tan and Chang Liu, alleging that they misappropriated trade secrets related to hardware development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations as ChatGPT moves to consumer devices.
The artificial intelligence lab, led by CEO Sam Altman, insists that Apple is using the legal process to slow down a potential competitor and prevent employee departures. According to statements from both companies in court documents, OpenAI hired about 400 employees from Apple for its hardware initiative.
OpenAI emphasized that California law allows employees to freely move between competing companies.
This lawsuit marked a sharp escalation of tension between the two corporations, which had partnered just two years prior to expand ChatGPT's reach and strengthen Apple's position in AI. However, relations quickly deteriorated amid increased competition in the artificial intelligence industry.
In the initial lawsuit, Apple claimed that OpenAI hiring Apple employees was part of the AI lab's strategy to study the competitor's secrets. Apple asserted that Tan and Liu gained access to internal Apple files after leaving the company.
In turn, OpenAI reported on Monday that Apple encourages its employees to use personal iCloud accounts to access Apple work documents and perform job functions, which makes it difficult for departing employees to separate personal and corporate information.
Furthermore, OpenAI pointed out that Apple's policy of immediately escorting departing employees off company premises does not give them sufficient time to return corporate devices, hand back internal files to the company, or transfer responsibilities.
Liu stated in his declaration that any access to Apple documents after his departure was done to assist former Apple colleagues in finding files or answering questions related to working at Apple. He noted that Apple employees repeatedly sought his help after he left.
Tan, who worked at Apple for 24 years, stated that he returned Apple prototypes before leaving and only kept non-confidential materials, including an employee exit checklist, which was not confidential.
OpenAI wrote that employees 'can leave a company like Apple, which struggled with AI adoption, and move to an exciting startup creating innovative products.' It followed with the statement: 'Apple may not approve of such choices. But it cannot claim these choices are illegal, nor can it use its own careless procedures to blame others for its own mess' — Depa Sitiraman, (c) 2026 Reuters.