OpenAI Responds to Apple's Trade Secret Lawsuit, Citing Communication Errors
OpenAI has publicly responded to Apple's trade secret lawsuit and injunction request, claiming Apple's external counsel misdirected key emails due to a name mix-up and failed to communicate before filing. The company also shared chat logs to argue that Apple's claims of unauthorized data access were actually due to Apple's own system permission management failures. This dispute highlights the growing tension and legal friction between major tech rivals OpenAI and Apple over talent acquisition and intellectual property. It underscores how administrative and communication errors can escalate corporate disagreements into high-profile court battles. OpenAI revealed that Apple's external counsel confused two Asian surnames, causing a five-month communication gap, and defended former Apple executive Tang Tan against allegations of misappropriating trade secrets. Additionally, chat logs showed Apple employees continuing to access and transfer files from former employee Chang Liu's iCloud account after his departure.
## BACKGROUND
The dispute involves former Apple employees, including long-time executive Tang Tan and employee Chang Liu, who transitioned to OpenAI. Apple filed a lawsuit and sought a temporary injunction, accusing OpenAI of acquiring its trade secrets through these former employees, while OpenAI maintains that the transition was lawful and Apple's claims are procedurally and factually flawed.