Apple wants a court to put the brakes on OpenAI’s hardware ambitions. OpenAI’s counterattack is just as pointed: the AI company says Apple’s trade-secrets case exposes a failure to lock down its own systems when employees leave.

The dispute began last month, when Apple sued OpenAI over allegations that former employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan carried confidential knowledge into the company’s growing device effort. Apple alleged a wider, “coordinated pattern of misconduct,” including claims that Liu exploited an authentication flaw and that prospective hires were asked to bring proprietary hardware to interviews.¹

This week, Apple escalated. It asked for a preliminary injunction that would bar Liu, Tan, OpenAI and Jony Ive’s io Products from accessing, using or disclosing its information while the case proceeds. Apple also sought accelerated discovery, saying its investigation had identified 11 additional former employees who may have been witnesses or involved. Its filing cites alleged discussions of unannounced products before an OpenAI interview and screenshots of confidential documents taken ahead of another interview.²

OpenAI answered publicly rather than waiting for a courtroom filing. Calling Apple’s suit “careless, aggressive, and oddly personal,” it released emails and messages meant to puncture Apple’s account.³ The company says Apple’s lawyers initially emailed the wrong person after confusing similar Asian surnames, and that Apple later conceded it had not spoken with OpenAI’s general counsel.

The sharper clash concerns Liu’s post-departure access. Apple says he accessed confidential material after leaving; OpenAI says Apple employees asked him to help locate files because the company had failed to revoke access. “Former employees who are trying to do the right thing when they leave still have access to Apple files—despite not wanting them or even being aware of them,” OpenAI said.¹

OpenAI insists it has neither Apple’s secrets nor any interest in them. Apple, meanwhile, argues the alleged conduct reaches beyond two recruits. On X, Elon Musk offered a blunt verdict: “Can’t trust OpenAI.”Elon Musk (elonmusk)⁴

The immediate battle is over emergency safeguards; the larger one is over whether Apple can prove theft—or whether OpenAI can turn the case into an indictment of Apple’s offboarding security.