Apple is now seeking a preliminary injunction in its trade secret case against OpenAI, which aims to stop AI model makers from moving forward with developing AI devices or other products based on Apple’s technology. The iPhone maker also claims that its former employees may have been involved in the theft of trade secrets.
in the new FilingApple is requesting expedited discovery from the alleged OpenAI employees, Senior Systems Engineer Chang Liu and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan; OpenAI, and its foundations; and io, a device startup co-founded by Apple’s lead designer Jony Ive.
Apple also noted that its ongoing investigation has so far revealed 11 other former Apple employees in addition to Liu and Tan may be witnesses or involved in the case, and others who were previously named in the original complaint such as OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng.
The filing underscores the tension in Apple’s legal battle with OpenAI, as it suggests that Apple has uncovered new evidence that the wrongdoing goes beyond the former employees named in the original complaint.
“For example, another former Apple employee apparently met with Mr. Liu and Ms. Peng in advance of Ms. Peng’s interview at OpenAI and discussed with them during that meeting Apple’s copyright information on unannounced products,” the document said. “But another former Apple employee took a screenshot of a secret Apple document about an unannounced Apple product before an interview at OpenAI.”
“And, after Apple filed its complaint, several former Apple employees who worked on OpenAI were approached to discuss the return of Apple-issued work equipment that they kept when they left Apple,” Apple claims, suggesting that there are people who may be involved with the project.
Apple is pushing the court to grant expedited discovery because it believes it has good cause to suspect that others are involved in the theft of its intellectual property. The company noted that its motion for a preliminary injunction is pending.
OpenAI responds publicly to Apple’s latest, Speaking in a blog post That Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction is “both based on false information and completely unnecessary because we do not have their trade secrets, nor do we want any.”
“We are very interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the boundaries,” reads OpenAI’s statement.
The AI model maker also points out the mistakes that Apple has made in the past, which has been reported that, including that Apple emailed the wrong person when it contacted OpenAI after confusing two similar usernames. OpenAI also alleged that Apple lied about discussions with its general counsel. And, the company said Apple does not accept claims that “residual access” allowing former employees to access Apple’s systems was the result of poor security procedures on Apple’s part.
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