OpenAI rejects Apple's trade secret lawsuit as meritless

OpenAI pushed back Tuesday against Apple’s trade secret lawsuit, suggesting the complaint lacks merit. “While we take these allegations seriously, we’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit,” OpenAI said in a statement, first shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X. The company added, “We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.” OpenAI also repeated the stance it gave in its initial reaction to the suit, saying, “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”

The 41-page complaint, filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (a U.S. federal court), alleges that OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple engaged in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property. The complaint contains a string of allegations against OpenAI leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan. Before joining OpenAI, Tan worked at Apple for 24 years, rising to vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

The dispute comes as reports suggest OpenAI is building its own hardware. Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OpenAI is working on a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, a project that follows the company’s acquisition of io, the startup founded by Jony Ive. The lawsuit and the hardware reports have surfaced within days of each other, sharpening scrutiny of OpenAI’s leadership team as it moves beyond software into physical devices.

Why it matters

The legal battle highlights growing tensions between Apple and OpenAI as the AI lab reportedly develops hardware that could directly compete with Apple’s business.