Apple Sends Legal Warnings to 40 Ex-Employees at OpenAI Over Trade Secrets

Apple sent legal warning letters to approximately 40 former employees currently working at OpenAI on the 17th (local time), according to multiple sources cited by the Financial Times. The letters demand preservation of work-related documents and communication records and request meetings with Apple's legal team. This action came days after Apple filed a major lawsuit against OpenAI and two former Apple executives, alleging they stole internal confidential information before joining OpenAI. The conflict highlights the deteriorating relationship between the two Silicon Valley companies that previously collaborated on integrating OpenAI technology into Apple's Siri voice assistant.

Apple Accuses Former Executives of Stealing Trade Secrets

Apple filed a major lawsuit against OpenAI and two former Apple executives who worked at the company for 24 years. In court documents, Apple claimed these executives stole internal confidential information before moving to OpenAI. The lawsuit emerged at a sensitive time as OpenAI accelerates development of its own artificial intelligence devices in partnership with Apple's former Chief Design Officer. Apple stated in court filings that the evidence included in the lawsuit represents just "the tip of the iceberg" of OpenAI's widespread trade secret violations.

OpenAI Denies Validity of Apple's Claims

OpenAI responded to the allegations by stating the company takes the claims seriously but is unaware of any valid evidence supporting the lawsuit. The ChatGPT developer did not provide further details on its defense strategy or specific rebuttals to Apple's accusations.

Apple Shifts Partnership from OpenAI to Google

The Financial Times characterized the lawsuit as evidence that the relationship between the two Silicon Valley giants has effectively ended. Apple and OpenAI previously maintained a cooperative relationship, with OpenAI technology integrated into Apple's Siri voice assistant. However, Apple subsequently partnered with Google and applied Google's AI model to the ChatGPT-style voice and text assistant features the company unveiled in June.

FAQ

How many former Apple employees at OpenAI received legal warnings? Apple sent legal warning letters to approximately 40 former employees currently working at OpenAI on the 17th (local time), according to multiple sources cited by the Financial Times.

What does Apple claim the two former executives did? Apple claims in its lawsuit that two executives who worked at Apple for 24 years stole internal confidential information before moving to OpenAI, and that the evidence in the lawsuit represents just "the tip of the iceberg" of OpenAI's trade secret violations.