OpenAI Challenges Apple’s Trade-Secret Lawsuit, Disputing Pre-Litigation Communications

OpenAI has publicly rejected Apple’s allegations that former employees brought confidential information into its hardware business. It says Apple’s outside counsel confused two Asian surnames, sent an email to the wrong recipient, and mischaracterized prior communications. OpenAI also says a former employee accessed files at the request of an Apple employee.

Published 8/6/2026, 9:20:18 AMLast updated 8/6/2026, 9:20:18 AMEditorial publication

OpenAI has issued a public response to Apple’s lawsuit concerning alleged trade-secret misuse by former Apple employees now associated with OpenAI’s hardware efforts. The company claims that Apple’s outside counsel confused two similar Asian surnames and sent a key email to the wrong person. OpenAI also disputes the suggestion that a conversation with its general counsel took place, saying the relevant exchange did not establish such a call.

OpenAI further released portions of message records involving a former Apple employee. According to OpenAI’s account, the employee was asked by an Apple colleague to help locate files and project information after leaving the company. OpenAI says continued access may also have resulted from Apple’s failure to promptly revoke cloud-sharing permissions.

The public record currently reflects competing accounts rather than a judicial finding. Apple’s allegations, the underlying evidence, and the court’s handling of Apple’s requested injunction will be necessary to determine whether confidential information was improperly accessed or transferred.

Source evidence 6

Source review does not guarantee permanent accuracy. Consider the original source, observation time, and later corrections.

被苹果起诉窃取商业机密！OpenAI称对方搞错了 _ 东方财富网finance.eastmoney.com · supporting

OpenAI回应　　这两家科技巨头之间的纠纷始于今年7月10日。当日苹果正式向加州北区联邦法院提起诉讼，被告方包括OpenAI、其旗下硬件实体io Products，以及两名前苹果核心员工刘畅（Chang Liu）与唐坦（Tang Yew Tan）。苹果指控两名前员工将苹果未发布产品、研发工艺与供应链相关的商业秘密带入OpenAI，用于其消费级硬件研发项目，而OpenAI通过挖角、纵容员工不当获取前雇主信息等方式，导致机密信息转移。　　苹果在诉状中披露了多项具体指控细节。其一是刘畅离职时未按规定交还全部工作设备，且利用苹果内部系统的权限漏洞，在离职后数周内仍可访问公司内部云端存储库，下载了包含上千页主逻辑板制造测试工艺在内的数十份高密级工程文件。其二是OpenAI长期有针对性地吸纳苹果员工，截至诉讼提起时已有超过400名前苹果员工加入OpenAI，覆盖硬件设计、供应链管理等多个核心岗位。苹果认为，此类人才招募并非正常的市场流动，而是带有明确的技术窃取目的。　　被提起诉讼后，OpenAI曾在7月10日、7月14日两次作出简短回应，称公司对其他企业的商业秘密毫无兴趣，也未看到任何支持苹果指控的证据。　　OpenAI在本次回应中表示，苹果此前在诉讼中声称，其早在2026年2月就已致函OpenAI沟通相关问题，但未收到任何回应，以此指责OpenAI对合规问题态度消极。而OpenAI公开的邮件往来记录显示，事实并非如此。苹果聘请的外部律师因混淆两个亚洲姓氏，将关键邮件错发给了无关人员，所谓与OpenAI总法律顾问的通话也从未实际发生。在OpenAI指出这一错误后，苹果的代理律师承认了姓名混淆的事实，但当时并未提及诉讼中的任何具体指控，反而告知OpenAI双方正在 “解决所有问题”。 [...] 在此之后的五个月里，OpenAI未收到苹果的任何进一步沟通，直到对方直接提起诉讼。OpenAI认为，苹果刻意隐瞒了自身的沟通失误，在诉讼中对前期沟通过程的描述严重失实。　　针对窃取商业秘密的指控，OpenAI则公开了经过删节的iMessage聊天记录。根据聊天内容，刘畅在2026年1月22日离职当天及之后的文件交互，并非其主动向OpenAI输送机密，而是苹果在职员工主动请求他协助查找文件、提供项目信息与对接人联系方式，用于完成苹果内部的工作交接。部分iMessa