OpenAI denies merit in Apple's trade secret theft allegations

OpenAI has formally responded to allegations made in Apple's recent lawsuit, stating the company finds no credible basis for the claims. According to the firm's statement shared with media outlets, the company remains committed to ethical practices and employee mobility across the industry.

The lawsuit backdrop#

Apple initiated legal action last week against OpenAI in federal court, accusing the AI lab of orchestrating an effort to steal proprietary information and trade secrets. The 41-page filing, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, points to former Apple employees now working at OpenAI—particularly Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan—as central figures in the alleged scheme. Tan spent over two decades at Apple, where he held influential design roles for the iPhone and Apple Watch before moving to OpenAI.

OpenAI's counterposition#

In its formal response, OpenAI emphasized its commitment to building cutting-edge technology while respecting intellectual property boundaries. The company also highlighted its belief that professionals should have the autonomy to pursue opportunities at different organizations. This marks the first substantive statement the company has offered regarding the specific allegations contained in Apple's complaint.

The competitive context#

Apple's case suggests that OpenAI has been leveraging confidential Apple information as it develops its own hardware offerings. Recent business moves—including OpenAI's acquisition of design veteran Jony Ive's company io—point to the company's ambitions in the device space. According to recent reporting, OpenAI is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker designed to serve as an AI companion, a product category that could directly challenge Apple's market position.