OpenAI responded Tuesday to Apple's trade secret lawsuit, asserting that the allegations are unfounded. In a statement shared by Bloomberg reporter Ed Ludlow on X, the company said, 'We’re not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.' The statement marks OpenAI's first direct comment on the case, which was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit claims that OpenAI and its partners used Apple’s confidential information to develop their own hardware product. OpenAI has not yet provided further details on its response to the allegations.
Apple’s 41-page complaint alleges that former Apple employees, including Tang Tan, the company’s Chief Hardware Officer, engaged in a coordinated effort to obtain confidential information and intellectual property. Before joining OpenAI, Tan worked at Apple for 24 years, holding top positions such as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. The lawsuit also names other OpenAI leadership figures, though specific details about their alleged involvement remain unclear. Apple claims its internal investigation found evidence that OpenAI used the company’s confidential data in its hardware development, which it says is central to the case.
The lawsuit comes amid reports that OpenAI is developing a mobile, screen-free smart speaker, described as a 'humanlike AI companion' by insiders. Bloomberg reported that the device, which includes moving mechanical elements, is being built with input from former Apple engineers. OpenAI’s recent acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup io has also raised questions about its potential new hardware ambitions. TechCrunch has reached out to OpenAI for further comment and will update the article when the company responds.
Source: techcrunch
