OpenAI on Tuesday formally rejected the trade secret allegations brought forth by Apple, indicating that the complaint lacks substantive merit.
In a statement initially shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X, OpenAI declared, “While we take these allegations seriously, we’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.” The company further emphasized its core principles: “We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
This response follows Apple's recent filing of a lawsuit against the AI research lab, which accuses former Apple employees now at OpenAI of a coordinated scheme to acquire confidential information and intellectual property. The comprehensive 41-page complaint, lodged last Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, details numerous accusations targeting OpenAI's leadership, notably Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan. Prior to his tenure at OpenAI, Tan was a distinguished veteran at Apple for 24 years, holding senior roles including vice president of product design for both the iPhone and Apple Watch.
This marks OpenAI's inaugural direct commentary on the specifics of the lawsuit. Previously, hours after Apple initiated its legal action, OpenAI had issued an initial statement to TechCrunch, asserting its disinterest in the proprietary technology of other companies: “We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
Within its lawsuit, Apple contends that an internal investigation unearthed evidence suggesting OpenAI and its associated partners leveraged the Cupertino giant’s confidential data during the development of their own hardware products.
These claims align with broader industry reports and OpenAI’s recent acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io, which collectively imply the company is actively developing a device poised to directly rival Apple’s offerings. Specifically, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that OpenAI is crafting a mobile, screen-free smart speaker.
TechCrunch has sought additional comments from OpenAI and will provide updates to this article as soon as a response is received.
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