Apple has answered OpenAI's new allegations in a filing made public on 15 October, with two exhibits. OpenAI's own filing the day before claimed that a former employee who returned to Apple sent more than 100 confidential files about an unreleased device to personal accounts and showed plans to senior Apple leaders. Apple told Reuters it has no evidence and bars new hires from using a former employer's secrets.
“Apple requested more specific information so that it could perform alternative searches. OpenAI did not respond, and instead filed Docket No. 176 with the Court.”
Apple, in its court filing, in its court filing · 9to5mac.com ↗
The employee is an iPhone engineer on Apple's Manufacturing Design team, as before his six months at OpenAI. OpenAI says some files moved just after midnight in Singapore on 2 June, which it gives as his last day, and that they covered device images and manufacturing and supplier data. OpenAI raised it with Apple on 9 October, and Apple answered on 12 October that it found nothing. That letter said the phone numbers OpenAI named do not match his Apple work number, no OpenAI files were on the servers he used and Apple knew of no such presentation. Apple adds that one file description seems to describe quality-control methods common since the 1990s.
Apple says it will keep searching, will run more searches given file names or terms, and is preserving evidence. OpenAI says it fears its work is circulating inside Apple and shaping products, and links the worry to Apple's newly announced HomeView product. The Register notes OpenAI has not shown Apple used the material; no counterclaims are filed yet.
The dispute sits inside the case Apple brought in July against OpenAI, io Products, Chang Liu and Tang Tan, which OpenAI denies. Judge Edward Davila recently let Apple get early device data from some ex-employees and question three people fast. A trial is likely in October 2027, though OpenAI says it could be ready by June 2027.
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