OpenAI accuses former employee who joined Apple of leaking unreleased device plans

OpenAI accused a former employee who joined Apple of transferring confidential material about an unreleased product. The claims were made in a new filing in federal court in San Jose, California.

OpenAI alleged that the employee sent more than 100 files to a personal account and, months later, presented information about the product to senior Apple leaders. The company said Apple could use the material while developing its own artificial-intelligence products.

Apple said it had policies and procedures preventing new employees from using confidential information belonging to previous employers. It also said it had found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations.

New claim delays court showdown

The companies had been due in court on Wednesday in their ongoing trade-secrets dispute. After the new filing, OpenAI said it might bring a countersuit based on the allegation.

OpenAI linked its concern to Apple’s development of its own AI products, citing Apple’s release of HomeView this week. The filing described the information as trade secrets but did not publicly provide technical details about the unreleased device.

Apple’s case against OpenAI

The filing is part of a trade-secrets lawsuit Apple brought against OpenAI earlier this year. Apple alleged that its employees left for OpenAI’s hardware division and took confidential information; OpenAI has denied those claims.

Earlier this week, Judge Edward Davila partly granted Apple’s request for early access to OpenAI’s digital files. He allowed Apple to collect data from some former employees’ devices and depose three of them on an expedited schedule, including the two defendants: former senior system electrical engineer Chang Liu and former vice-president of product design for iPhone and Apple Watch Tang Yew Tan.

The case is likely to reach trial in October 2027. OpenAI has told the court it could be ready for trial as early as June 2027.