Apple has issued legal preservation letters to approximately 40 former employees now working at OpenAI to protect its trade secrets.
Apple has sent legal preservation letters to roughly 40 former employees who now work at OpenAI, requesting they save all documents and communications relevant to the company's ongoing trade secret lawsuit. The move follows a complaint filed last week alleging that OpenAI engaged in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information regarding Apple's hardware engineering and product development. The lawsuit specifically targets Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu, who transitioned from Apple to OpenAI and are accused of violating their employment agreements. While Tang Yew Tan serves as OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and Chang Liu joined the hardware team earlier this year, Apple believes the misappropriation of secrets extends beyond these two individuals. Apple claims that more than 400 former employees now work at OpenAI, and the company views the current evidence as only the "tip of the iceberg." OpenAI has denied the allegations, stating it is unaware of any evidence that the complaint has merit. Apple is seeking an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using its information while developing new AI hardware.