OpenAI alleges that a departing employee took over 100 confidential files before joining Apple.
In a Wednesday filing, OpenAI asserts that a former employee removed more than 100 files concerning product strategies prior to joining Apple. The document accuses the unnamed individual of transferring this data to a personal account and subsequently presenting it to Apple executives, specifically the vice president of operations in Asia.
Citing an earlier Reuters report, this legal dispute involves a trade secret conflict, though OpenAI is the accuser this time. The company claims the stolen materials included images of an unreleased device, supplier details, engineering data, project folders, cosmetic finish standards, and reports regarding hardware component coating and sealing.
OpenAI connects Apple’s newly unveiled HomeView smart display and other recent AI products to the former employee's briefing. The company argues that the presentation occurred months prior and that Apple is utilizing this information to accelerate its push into AI-enabled hardware, referencing public articles and corporate announcements.
While Apple maintains that its product development cycles are lengthy and the smart display has been rumored for years, the company counters that OpenAI stole confidential documents and spied on hardware prototypes to aid its own development.
“OpenAI is very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple, where Apple engineers can shape Apple’s upcoming products based on OpenAI’s confidential and innovative work,” OpenAI stated. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Verge.
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