OpenAI has filed a motion to dismiss Apple's trade secret lawsuit, shifting the focus from alleged data access to the way Apple managed employee security and account access. In its filing, the AI company argues that Apple's own offboarding and information-control practices weaken the legal basis for calling the disputed material trade secrets.
Apple filed the case in July, claiming OpenAI tried to obtain confidential hardware-related information through former Apple engineers. This week, Apple also asked the court to speed up discovery, saying its internal review suggests more former employees may have been involved or aware of the alleged information transfer.
OpenAI's response says Apple allowed staff to use personal iCloud accounts for work and did not fully revoke access after employees left. The filing also includes text messages showing an Apple manager remained logged into the personal iCloud account of former engineer Chang Liu after his departure, later using it to move files and ask technical questions about Apple projects.
According to OpenAI, these details point to weak internal controls rather than protected secrets being carefully guarded. The company also says Apple has not clearly identified the specific materials it claims were taken, describing them instead as broad areas such as manufacturing, testing, supplier relationships, and distribution.
OpenAI further argues that it is building a different kind of AI-driven hardware future and has no need for Apple's confidential information. The filing frames the lawsuit as a broader competition over talent, innovation, and the pace of AI product development.
As AI hardware competition accelerates, cases like this may help define how companies protect innovation in the next generation of products.
