OpenAI alleges ex-employee took 100 files to Apple and pitched its unreleased product

OpenAI has accused a former employee of taking confidential product information to Apple after transferring approximately 100 files to a personal account. A new court filing alleges that the employee later presented details about an unreleased OpenAI product to a senior Apple executive.

The allegations add another layer to a growing trade secrets dispute between the two technology companies. OpenAI claims Apple could use the information to guide its own hardware development, raising questions about how companies protect proprietary engineering work during recruitment.

OpenAI raises product secrecy concerns

According to Reuters, the filing was submitted in San Jose, California. OpenAI alleges that the presentation occurred months ago and claims Apple’s recent release of its Home View product adds to its concerns.

The company warned that confidential material could already be circulating among Apple’s engineering teams. OpenAI said it was “very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple.”

The filing argues that access to such information could give Apple’s engineers insight into OpenAI’s upcoming products. However, the allegations do not establish that Apple used any allegedly misappropriated material to develop Home View.

Apple rejected OpenAI’s claims. The company said it maintains procedures to prevent new hires from using confidential information belonging to previous employers. Apple also said it has found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations.

Neither the product presentation nor the alleged file transfer independently establishes that Apple misused trade secrets. The dispute will require the parties to substantiate their competing claims through the legal process.

Apple expands access to records

The new allegations intersect with a lawsuit Apple filed against OpenAI in July. Apple accused former employees of taking proprietary information from the iPhone maker to OpenAI’s consumer hardware division.

OpenAI has denied those accusations. Apple alleges that some departing employees downloaded confidential files using company laptops and brought knowledge of unannounced technologies into their new roles.

The dispute also concerns how OpenAI recruited former Apple employees for its consumer hardware and robotics teams. Apple claims some recruits received guidance about presenting information from their previous jobs during interviews.

A federal judge has granted Apple expedited access to certain OpenAI hiring records. The materials include interview guides, technical presentations, and documents that could reveal discussions about Apple technologies or components.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila also approved depositions for three former Apple employees. They include OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, along with employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng.

Hardware ambitions raise stakes

OpenAI’s hardware ambitions help explain why the dispute extends beyond employee departures. The company is developing a consumer device that could eventually compete with smartphones if it becomes a central way for people to access software and services.

Apple’s legal requests seek information that could clarify whether OpenAI’s recruitment process featured Apple’s proprietary technology. However, the judge rejected several broader requests, including expedited access to OpenAI’s hardware research and development work on specific engineering areas.

Those denied requests covered subjects such as metal finishes and power management. The court also declined to grant Apple broader access to OpenAI’s hardware research and information about work former Apple employees performed after joining OpenAI.

The proceedings now put employee mobility, confidential engineering knowledge, and product development under scrutiny. Both companies face the challenge of proving their claims as they compete for talent and pursue new hardware opportunities.