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Apple claims that even more ex-employees may have given trade secrets to OpenAI
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Apple is requesting expedited discovery in its lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that an internal investigation has identified 11 additional former employees who may have been involved in sharing trade secrets.
For engineers, this case highlights the legal risks of moving between competing AI companies, especially when handling proprietary hardware or software information. The outcome could set precedents for how trade secret claims are litigated in the fast-moving AI industry, potentially affecting hiring practices and information security policies at tech firms.
Written by elseif from the cluster below · every claim links back to a sourceThe three things worth knowing
Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to stop OpenAI from developing devices allegedly based on Apple's technology.
The company's internal investigation now points to 11 more former employees beyond the two already accused of sharing trade secrets.
OpenAI has denied the claims, calling the injunction request baseless and accusing Apple of poor access management when employees leave.
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What elseif makes of it.
Apple's request for expedited discovery signals that it believes new evidence strengthens its case against OpenAI. The company had previously accused two former employees, a senior system electrical engineer and a former VP, of sharing trade secrets. Now, an internal investigation has identified 11 other former employees who may have witnessed or participated in the alleged misconduct. This expansion suggests Apple is building a broader narrative of systematic information leakage.
The filing includes specific allegations: one former employee met with the accused engineer before an interview at OpenAI and discussed proprietary information about unannounced products. Another former employee allegedly took screenshots of confidential documents related to an unannounced Apple product before an interview at OpenAI. These details indicate Apple is trying to show a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents.
OpenAI has responded by calling the preliminary injunction request false and unnecessary, stating it does not have or want Apple's trade secrets. It published text messages that it claims show Apple employees contacting the former engineer after he left, asking for file locations. OpenAI frames this as Apple failing to manage system access properly when people depart. The dispute now includes a back-and-forth over who mishandled data.
The lawsuit also involves io Products, a startup recently acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion, which was founded by former Apple design executive Jony Ives. Rumors suggest OpenAI is working on an AI-enabled smart speaker with Ives. This connection adds a hardware dimension to the case, moving beyond software into physical product design, which may involve different types of trade secrets.
For engineers, the case underscores the importance of clear exit procedures and data handling policies. The allegations of screenshots and meetings before interviews highlight how easily proprietary information can be transferred. The outcome may influence how companies enforce non-disclosure agreements and how employees navigate job changes in the AI sector.
Written by elseif from the cluster below · checked for specifics the sources never containedTHE CLUSTER