OpenAI Asks US Federal Judge to Dismiss Apple Trade Secret Theft Lawsuit, Calls Claims Baseless
OpenAI has filed a motion in US federal court to dismiss Apple's trade secret theft lawsuit, calling the allegations baseless. Apple accused OpenAI of stealing trade secrets during recruitment and sought an injunction to bar OpenAI from using the information and to return confidential materials. OpenAI argues the suit mischaracterises employee conduct, citing standard hiring practices and a misinterpreted communication. The court has not yet ruled on Apple's injunction request or OpenAI's dismissal motion.
OpenAI has filed documents with a US federal court seeking dismissal of a trade secret theft lawsuit brought by Apple, calling the allegations baseless. Apple previously accused OpenAI of stealing trade secrets during the recruitment process and requested a court order prohibiting OpenAI from continuing to use the confidential information, as well as requiring the return of Apple's confidential materials. If granted, the injunction would remain in effect for the duration of the litigation.
In its court filing, OpenAI said Apple's lawsuit mischaracterises the conduct of its employees. OpenAI's top hardware executive followed industry-standard hiring practices when interviewing Apple employees, and the employee accused of stealing trade secrets was in fact attempting to help a former colleague at Apple. OpenAI argued that Apple's complaint was filed without adequate investigation, based on out-of-context communications and ordinary behaviour stripped of context, and that Apple should not be allowed to use the lawsuit to compensate for its shortcomings in the talent market.
Apple had previously asked the judge to issue an injunction barring OpenAI from using the alleged stolen trade secrets and to return any confidential information belonging to Apple. OpenAI responded that the lawsuit was brought on false grounds and lacks factual basis. The court has not yet ruled on Apple's injunction request or OpenAI's motion to dismiss.