Apple has asked a US federal judge to issue a preliminary injunction against OpenAI and two former Apple employees, intensifying a legal dispute over allegations that confidential company information was taken to support OpenAI’s push into consumer hardware.
The request, filed on Monday, seeks to stop OpenAI and the former employees from accessing, using, or disclosing what Apple says is its proprietary information while the lawsuit moves through the courts. Apple also asked for expedited discovery, including documents and sworn depositions from the former employees, OpenAI staff, and representatives of OpenAI’s hardware arm, io Products.
Apple argues that without immediate court intervention, it could suffer “irreparable harm,” claiming the alleged misuse of its trade secrets could affect its future hardware business and competitive position in the fast-growing artificial intelligence market. The company named former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, who now work at OpenAI, in the lawsuit.
SEE ALSO: First HoldCo Launch Equity Offering of $1Billion in Capital Raise
OpenAI has strongly rejected the allegations, insisting it neither possesses nor wants Apple’s confidential information.
“Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction is both based on false information and completely unnecessary because we do not have, nor want, any of their trade secrets,” the company said in a public response.
The latest filing marks another step in a growing rivalry between the two technology companies as competition over AI-powered consumer devices intensifies. Apple filed its original lawsuit last month, accusing OpenAI of benefiting from confidential information obtained through former employees as it expands beyond software into hardware development. OpenAI has denied all wrongdoing and says Apple’s claims are unfounded.
