Apple Sends Legal Preservation Letters to 40 Former Employees at OpenAI Amid Trade Secret Lawsuit
Summary
Apple sends legal preservation letters to 40 former employees now at OpenAI, escalating its trade secret lawsuit that accuses the AI company of orchestrating a coordinated theft of confidential hardware and product development secrets, with key former Apple executives now holding senior roles at OpenAI, which denies all allegations.
Key Points
- Apple sends legal preservation letters to approximately 40 former employees now working at OpenAI, demanding they retain documents and communications relevant to its ongoing trade secret lawsuit.
- Apple's lawsuit alleges OpenAI orchestrated a coordinated effort to steal confidential hardware engineering and product development secrets, with key figures including former Apple executives Tang Tan and Chang Liu now holding senior roles at OpenAI.
- OpenAI denies all allegations, stating it is 'not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit,' while Apple seeks an injunction, damages, and believes the misconduct discovered so far is only the 'tip of the iceberg.'