HomeOpenAI fights Apple trade secret lawsuit
OpenAI rebutted Apple’s trade secret allegations on Tuesday, arguing the lawsuit is unfounded.
“We take these claims seriously but see no evidence supporting them,” OpenAI stated, as reported by Bloomberg’s Ed Ludlow on X. “We support fair competition and the freedom to work anywhere, focusing on creating technology that empowers users globally.”
This follows Apple’s lawsuit filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing OpenAI of orchestrating a scheme to steal confidential data and intellectual property from former Apple employees. The 41-page complaint targets OpenAI leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a 24-year Apple veteran who previously served as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This marks OpenAI’s first direct comment on the litigation. Initially, the company told TechCrunch it had no interest in competitors’ trade secrets, emphasizing its focus on independent innovation.
Apple’s lawsuit alleges that internal investigations revealed OpenAI and its partners leveraging confidential information to develop their own hardware.
Recent reports and OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io indicate the company is developing a device to compete directly with Apple. Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OpenAI is designing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, described by insiders as a “humanlike AI companion” for home use.
The device reportedly features moving mechanical parts and is being developed with input from former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac.
TechCrunch has contacted OpenAI for additional comments and will update this article upon receiving a response.
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OpenAI rebutted Apple’s trade secret allegations on Tuesday, arguing the lawsuit is unfounded.
“We take these claims seriously but see no evidence supporting them,” OpenAI stated, as reported by Bloomberg’s Ed Ludlow on X. “We support fair competition and the freedom to work anywhere, focusing on creating technology that empowers users globally.”
This follows Apple’s lawsuit filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing OpenAI of orchestrating a scheme to steal confidential data and intellectual property from former Apple employees. The 41-page complaint targets OpenAI leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a 24-year Apple veteran who previously served as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This marks OpenAI’s first direct comment on the litigation. Initially, the company told TechCrunch it had no interest in competitors’ trade secrets, emphasizing its focus on independent innovation.
Apple’s lawsuit alleges that internal investigations revealed OpenAI and its partners leveraging confidential information to develop their own hardware.
Recent reports and OpenAI’s acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io indicate the company is developing a device to compete directly with Apple. Bloomberg reported Tuesday that OpenAI is designing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, described by insiders as a “humanlike AI companion” for home use.
The device reportedly features moving mechanical parts and is being developed with input from former Apple engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac.
TechCrunch has contacted OpenAI for additional comments and will update this article upon receiving a response.
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