OpenAI Moves to Throw Out Apple's (AAPL) 'Careless, Aggressive and Oddly Personal' Trade Secrets Lawsuit
Complete. Here is the key summaryOpenAI has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss Apple's trade secrets lawsuit, calling it 'meritless' and 'baseless.' OpenAI argues it does not need Apple's confidential information and accuses the tech giant of filing the suit due to struggles in retaining employees and keeping up with AI development. While Apple seeks to bar OpenAI from using alleged stolen data, both companies remain partners, with Apple integrating ChatGPT into Siri.
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a trade secrets lawsuit filed by global tech giant Apple (AAPL). The AI company said Apple's claims are "meritless" because it does not need the iPhone maker's confidential information to build its own products.
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The request comes weeks after Apple accused two of its former employees and OpenAI of stealing trade secrets to speed up the development of AI-powered consumer hardware devices.
OpenAI Says Apple Lawsuit Is Baseless
OpenAI said Apple has not identified any trade secrets that were stolen or provided enough evidence to support its claims. It also said it has "no use, need or desire" for Apple's trade secrets, calling its suit "baseless and pretextual."
The ChatGPT creator also accused the iPhone maker of filing the lawsuit because it has struggled to retain employees and keep up with AI development. They described the litigation as a "careless, aggressive and oddly personal" suit, while also stating that its validity is "rotten to its core."
OpenAI has defended its hiring practices, noting that it follows industry standards during recruitment. The AI company said former Apple engineer Chang Liu did not steal confidential data and only helped his former colleagues find information they needed before leaving Apple.
Apple Seeks Court Order Against OpenAI
Apple filed the lawsuit in July, accusing OpenAI of obtaining secret data through former staff, recruitment, and supplier ties to speed up its AI hardware push. As a result, the iPhone maker has asked the court to bar OpenAI from using the alleged trade secrets and return any such data while the case proceeds.
Despite the dispute, the two companies remain partners, with Apple allowing users to access ChatGPT through Siri. However, OpenAI has until August 17 to respond to Apple's request for a preliminary injunction, while the open hearing is scheduled for October 1.
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