Apple files 32-page rebuttal in OpenAI trade secrets case

Technology Apple files 32-page rebuttal in OpenAI trade secrets case According to the lawsuit, more than 400 of Apple's former employees are working at OpenAI right now.

Key points

• Apple's 32-page opposition brief, reviewed by MacRumors, restates its core claims against former engineer Chang Liu and OpenAI hardware chief Tan Yew Tan.
• According to the lawsuit, more than 400 of Apple's former employees are working at OpenAI right now.
• In fact, Apple even uses OpenAI's arguments against it, referring to its statement where OpenAI described its rationale behind Tan's behaviour as "at least equally plausible".
• Pareesa Afreen is a reporter and sub editor specialising in technology coverage, with 3 years of experience.

Apple isn't backing down. In a filing submitted Wednesday, the firm called on a federal judge to reject OpenAI's motion to dismiss its trade secrets lawsuit, arguing the AI company's defence rests on "distortion, speculation, and improper extrinsic evidence".

Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in July for being involved in a scheme through which OpenAI was obtaining information regarding Apple's products from ex-employees of the tech giant who subsequently worked at OpenAI.

According to the lawsuit, more than 400 of Apple's former employees are working at OpenAI right now. Nevertheless, OpenAI's motion filed last month states that Apple failed to establish a protectable trade secret and that the firm is not interested in Apple's confidential information as it "is building something entirely new and different".

Apple notes Liu exploited a "rare authentication bug" to access business network storage weeks after joining OpenAI, downloading confidential engineering files that included a presentation on manufacturing and testing main logic boards.

As for Tan, Apple repeats its claim that he applied internal Apple project codenames during interviews and asked one employee to bring components, including batteries, SoCs, logic boards and shields, to OpenAI for a "show and tell".

Citing the Ninth Circuit's 2025 decision in Quintara, Apple claims that it does not have to reveal details of its trade secrets at this stage since that would be a factual problem that will have to be resolved afterwards through a motion for summary judgement or a trial, and publicly revealing such details will amount to releasing its trade secrets.

As none of these can be applied in a motion for dismissal that should be based solely on the complaint, additionally, the brief objects to OpenAI's reliance on text messages, a directory of code names, and an interview guide.

Pareesa Afreen is a reporter and sub editor specialising in technology coverage, with 3 years of experience. She reports on digital innovation, gadgets, and emerging tech trends while ensuring clarity and accuracy through her editorial role, delivering accessible and engaging stories for a fast-evolving digital audience.

For now, apple files 32-page rebuttal in OpenAI trade secrets case remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.