Home
Apple-OpenAI Dispute: Two Key Emails, 13-Minute Gap, Name Mix-Up Led to Communication Breakdown
An investigative report by NBC has uncovered the key details behind the communication breakdown between Apple and OpenAI that led to their lawsuit over a business dispute — two emails, a 13-minute gap, and a mistaken identity ultimately pushed both parties into court. Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing several OpenAI employees of stealing confidential and proprietary information about unreleased products, components, and supplier relationships.
Just 13 minutes after the first email, a "miscommunication" occurred.
The incident began on February 23, 2026. That day, Apple's external lawyer Gabriel Gross sent an initial email to Che Chang, OpenAI's General Counsel, at 5:53 PM, with the subject line "OpenAI former Apple employee retaining non-public, confidential, and proprietary information," along with a PDF letter and three attachments. However, only 13 minutes later, without any reply from Chang, Gross sent a follow-up email in the same thread, stating "Thank you for the call just now" and mentioning he would contact Apple again before reaching out, while also reattaching the three documents.
In reality, Gross and Chang had not spoken on the phone during those 13 minutes. Gross's second email was actually intended for a former Apple employee named Wang — who later joined OpenAI — not for Chang. This misdirected reply meant for Wang was mistakenly sent to Chang, causing a critical misunderstanding in their communication.
OpenAI maintains that the misunderstanding has been resolved, but Apple claims it "never responded."
Related article
Alibaba Cloud DAMO Academy Liver Cancer AI Model Featured in Nature Medicine
The liver cancer diagnostic AI model DAMO LiON, developed by Alibaba DAMO Academy in collaboration with institutions such as Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, has recently been published in the top international medical journal Nature Med
Huawei Qinyun Unveils Education AI Solution Integrating HarmonyOS and Large Models
During the inaugural Huawei Harmony Education AI Summit, Huawei and its ecosystem partners unveiled a comprehensive education AI strategy alongside an all-scenario campus solution. This initiative signals a pivotal stage in educational digital transf
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Dismisses AI Apocalypse Claims, Says 2030 Doomsday Probability Is Zero
In a recent CBS News interview, NVIDIA co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang dismissed warnings from certain researchers that artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction within a few years, labeling such apocalyptic narratives as exaggerated.“20
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Design & Art
Top AI Illustration Tools: Create Editorial Scenes and Cover Art Faster
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Illustration Tools: Our curated list features the best powerfully designed tools for creating stunning editorial scenes and eye-catching cover art quickly. Each option has gone through rigorous real-world tests, offering a free vs paid comparison to help you find the perfect match for your workflow. Try these must-try solutions today to unlock your AI edge and boost your creative productivity. Explore now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
Top AI Tutors for Exam Prep: Practice Math, Science, and English
2026 Latest Top-Rated Best AI Tutors for Exam Prep are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful game-changing tools that offer free vs paid comparison, real-world tests, and weekly updated rankings. They help boost your writing efficiency, simplify complex topic learning, and unlock your academic potential. Explore now to Discover your perfect exam prep tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
Finance
AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing solutions that help you conduct real-world tests, understand spending habits, and create personalized plans to boost productivity. Enjoy a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings. Must-try tools designed to simplify money management and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
Health & Wellness
AI Sleep Tracking Assistants: Improve Recovery with Better Bedtime Habits
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Sleep Tracking Assistants curated for ultimate recovery. This fully updated weekly guide features powerful tools that deliver real-world tests, free vs paid comparison, and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try solution that boosts sleep quality and supports better bedtime habits. Explore now at XIX.AI to Unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
Data Analysis
AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that undergo real-world tests through weekly updated rankings. These tools help users boost productivity significantly by accelerating data analysis, streamlining complex queries, and generating accurate insights to drive smarter business decisions. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
14 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
Best AI Homework Helpers That Teach: Learn Concepts, Not Just Answers
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Homework Helpers That Teach Core Concepts Not Just Answers Powerful Tools for Students Must-Try Curated List Weekly Updated Free vs Paid Comparison Real-World Tests Accurate Rankings to Help You Unlock Your Full Learning Potential Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for smarter studying.
10 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
An investigative report by NBC has uncovered the key details behind the communication breakdown between Apple and OpenAI that led to their lawsuit over a business dispute — two emails, a 13-minute gap, and a mistaken identity ultimately pushed both parties into court. Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing several OpenAI employees of stealing confidential and proprietary information about unreleased products, components, and supplier relationships.
Just 13 minutes after the first email, a "miscommunication" occurred.
The incident began on February 23, 2026. That day, Apple's external lawyer Gabriel Gross sent an initial email to Che Chang, OpenAI's General Counsel, at 5:53 PM, with the subject line "OpenAI former Apple employee retaining non-public, confidential, and proprietary information," along with a PDF letter and three attachments. However, only 13 minutes later, without any reply from Chang, Gross sent a follow-up email in the same thread, stating "Thank you for the call just now" and mentioning he would contact Apple again before reaching out, while also reattaching the three documents.
In reality, Gross and Chang had not spoken on the phone during those 13 minutes. Gross's second email was actually intended for a former Apple employee named Wang — who later joined OpenAI — not for Chang. This misdirected reply meant for Wang was mistakenly sent to Chang, causing a critical misunderstanding in their communication.
OpenAI maintains that the misunderstanding has been resolved, but Apple claims it "never responded."
Alibaba Cloud DAMO Academy Liver Cancer AI Model Featured in Nature Medicine
The liver cancer diagnostic AI model DAMO LiON, developed by Alibaba DAMO Academy in collaboration with institutions such as Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, has recently been published in the top international medical journal Nature Med
Huawei Qinyun Unveils Education AI Solution Integrating HarmonyOS and Large Models
During the inaugural Huawei Harmony Education AI Summit, Huawei and its ecosystem partners unveiled a comprehensive education AI strategy alongside an all-scenario campus solution. This initiative signals a pivotal stage in educational digital transf
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Dismisses AI Apocalypse Claims, Says 2030 Doomsday Probability Is Zero
In a recent CBS News interview, NVIDIA co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang dismissed warnings from certain researchers that artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction within a few years, labeling such apocalyptic narratives as exaggerated.“20
2026 Latest Top-rated AI Illustration Tools: Our curated list features the best powerfully designed tools for creating stunning editorial scenes and eye-catching cover art quickly. Each option has gone through rigorous real-world tests, offering a free vs paid comparison to help you find the perfect match for your workflow. Try these must-try solutions today to unlock your AI edge and boost your creative productivity. Explore now at XIX.AI.
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Top-Rated Best AI Tutors for Exam Prep are here on XIX.AI! Our curated list features powerful game-changing tools that offer free vs paid comparison, real-world tests, and weekly updated rankings. They help boost your writing efficiency, simplify complex topic learning, and unlock your academic potential. Explore now to Discover your perfect exam prep tool and Start creating today to Unlock your AI edge!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Budget Planning Tools for Personal Money Management are here on XIX.AI! This curated collection features powerful, game-changing solutions that help you conduct real-world tests, understand spending habits, and create personalized plans to boost productivity. Enjoy a free vs paid comparison along with detailed rankings. Must-try tools designed to simplify money management and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Sleep Tracking Assistants curated for ultimate recovery. This fully updated weekly guide features powerful tools that deliver real-world tests, free vs paid comparison, and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try solution that boosts sleep quality and supports better bedtime habits. Explore now at XIX.AI to Unlock your AI edge.
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI SQL Copilots for Product and Revenue Analytics! XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection of must-try tools that undergo real-world tests through weekly updated rankings. These tools help users boost productivity significantly by accelerating data analysis, streamlining complex queries, and generating accurate insights to drive smarter business decisions. Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge!
14 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Homework Helpers That Teach Core Concepts Not Just Answers Powerful Tools for Students Must-Try Curated List Weekly Updated Free vs Paid Comparison Real-World Tests Accurate Rankings to Help You Unlock Your Full Learning Potential Explore now to Discover your perfect tool for smarter studying.
10 tools
xix.ai
