Apple lawsuit alleges OpenAI stole trade secrets, from parts to network access
Apple's 41-page complaint paints a picture of coordinated secret theft by 400+ former employees.
Apple's trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, filed on Friday, is packed with extraordinary allegations. The 41-page complaint describes a culture of misconduct normalized by leadership, including an employee who texted 'LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny' after exploiting an authentication bug from an Apple colleague's work laptop. Apple claims OpenAI's chief hardware officer (a former Apple VP) told job candidates to bring actual Apple parts and prototypes to interviews for 'show and tell sessions.' One candidate was surprised, saying he didn't know parts could be taken from the office.
The lawsuit also alleges that OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to avoid Apple's 'dreaded walkout' security procedure, circulating an internal Apple document with a 'Need to know' designation. Departing employees were told to notify OpenAI 'asap' if asked to sign anything in exit interviews. Apple reveals that over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, and claims the alleged misappropriation is 'the tip of the iceberg'—with discovery likely to uncover far more. The complaint seeks to halt OpenAI's hardware ambitions, calling its foundation 'rotten to its core.'
- Apple accuses OpenAI of systematically stealing trade secrets via 400+ former Apple employees, with leadership condoning the behavior.
- Allegations include an employee accessing Apple's network storage via an authentication bug and candidates being asked to bring physical Apple parts to interviews.
- OpenAI allegedly coached departing employees to avoid Apple's exit security procedures and advised them not to sign exit documents.
Why It Matters
This lawsuit could jeopardize OpenAI's hardware plans and deepen tensions between two of tech's biggest players.