OpenAI breaks silence on Apple’s trade secret claims
OpenAI has finally responded to the trade secret lawsuit Apple filed last week — and it’s not backing down. In a statement shared Tuesday, the AI lab said it’s not aware of any evidence that the complaint has merit.
“While we take these allegations seriously, we’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit,” OpenAI said. “We believe in fair competition and allowing people the freedom to work wherever they choose, and we’re focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
The response marks the first time OpenAI has directly addressed the substance of the case. Hours after Apple filed its lawsuit on Friday, OpenAI issued a shorter statement to TechCrunch, saying it has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets.”
What Apple alleges in the 41-page complaint
Apple’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property. The complaint specifically names OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple before joining the AI company. Tan previously held top roles at the iPhone maker, including vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Apple says its internal investigation uncovered evidence that OpenAI and its partners used the company’s confidential information while developing their own hardware product.
The human factor: former Apple engineers at OpenAI
This isn’t just about Tan. Reports suggest OpenAI has been quietly hiring engineers who worked on the iPhone and Mac. The company’s recent acquisition of Jony Ive‘s startup io has only fueled speculation that OpenAI is building something that could go head-to-head with Apple’s hardware business.
What OpenAI might be building
According to a Bloomberg report from Tuesday, OpenAI is working on a mobile, screen-free smart speaker. People familiar with the plans describe it as a “humanlike AI companion” designed to live in the home. The device reportedly has no screen, includes moving mechanical elements, and is being built with input from several former Apple engineers.
That’s a direct threat to Apple’s ecosystem — and possibly the reason Apple is playing hardball.
Legal experts weigh in on the odds
Trade secret cases are notoriously difficult to win. Plaintiffs need to prove that specific confidential information was misappropriated, not just that employees moved between companies. California law also strongly favors employee mobility, which could complicate Apple’s case.
Still, Apple has deep pockets and a history of aggressive litigation. The company has sued former employees before, and it rarely backs down once it files.
What happens next
OpenAI’s statement doesn’t address the specific allegations about Tang Tan or the hardware project. That’s likely intentional — the company will want to keep its cards close while the legal team prepares a formal response.
TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for further comment and will update this article when the company responds.
For now, the ball is in Apple’s court. The company will need to produce evidence that its trade secrets actually made their way into OpenAI’s products — a high bar to clear.
The bigger picture: talent wars in tech
This lawsuit is just the latest skirmish in a broader war for engineering talent. AI companies are poaching hardware experts from established players, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If OpenAI’s screen-free device takes off, it could reshape how people interact with AI at home — and that’s exactly what Apple fears.
But legal battles like this can also slow innovation. Engineers may think twice before jumping ship if they fear getting dragged into litigation. That’s a chilling effect that hurts everyone in the industry.
Will Apple’s lawsuit succeed? Hard to say. But one thing’s certain: the outcome will send ripples through the tech world, affecting how companies handle employee mobility and trade secrets for years to come.
