OpenAI has publicly challenged Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit, releasing emails, text messages, and a detailed rebuttal that accuses the iPhone maker of factual errors prior to filing its complaint.
Rebuttal to Apple’s Claims
In a blog post published Monday, OpenAI stated that Apple had confused two employees with similar names, falsely claimed the company ignored its outreach, and incorrectly asserted that Apple’s external counsel had spoken with OpenAI General Counsel Che Chang before initiating legal action.
The release of emails and text messages follows Apple’s lawsuit filed in July. Apple accused OpenAI, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, former Apple design executive Tang Tan, and io Products of misappropriating hardware trade secrets as OpenAI expanded its consumer hardware initiatives after acquiring Jony Ive’s startup in 2025.
“Apple is one of the greatest companies of all time, and built a reputation for obsessing over the smallest details,” OpenAI wrote. “This careless, aggressive and oddly personal lawsuit sadly doesn’t live up to that reputation.”
Allegations in Apple’s Lawsuit
In its lawsuit, Apple alleged that former Apple engineer Chang Liu retained a company laptop after his departure, exploited an authentication bug to access Apple’s internal systems, and downloaded confidential engineering documents. The lawsuit also claimed that former Apple executive Tang Tan used confidential Apple information to benefit OpenAI’s hardware efforts and that the company’s recruitment process encouraged prospective hires to bring sensitive Apple materials.
OpenAI’s Counterarguments
OpenAI disputes these allegations, asserting that Apple contacted the wrong individual after confusing two employees with similar surnames and incorrectly claimed its lawyers had communicated with OpenAI General Counsel Che Chang before filing suit.
To support its position, OpenAI published iMessage exchanges between Liu and Apple employees sent after he left the company in January. These messages show Apple employees asking for assistance with locating files, transferring documents, and answering technical questions. OpenAI contends these conversations undermine Apple’s claims that Liu improperly retained access to confidential information.
According to OpenAI, these exchanges demonstrate that Apple employees relied on Liu’s access, and any remaining access was a result of Apple’s own offboarding process rather than deliberate misconduct.
Regarding Tan, OpenAI stated that the former Apple executive was repeatedly instructed not to bring or use confidential information from his previous employer. The company also argued that Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction, which could restrict OpenAI’s activities during the legal proceedings, is unnecessary.
“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 wrote. “We’re much more interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the frontier.”
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