OpenAI accuses a former Apple employee of transferring over 100 confidential files to a personal account, according to a new document filed with the San Jose court. This filing responds to the complaint Apple filed against the company in July.
Since July, Apple has accused OpenAI of obtaining trade secrets, meaning confidential commercial information, through former employees. The Cupertino-based group filed a complaint for misappropriation of trade secrets, related to OpenAI’s recruitment of two former Apple employees.
OpenAI responded by filing a document with the same court. It claims that an employee who left for Apple took confidential files, which he allegedly transferred concerning an unannounced product to a personal account. The document, filed on October 13, notably concerns the HomeView, Apple’s home station.
A Link to the HomeView
According to OpenAI’s complaint, one of the employees is actually a former Apple staffer, who joined OpenAI shortly before returning to his previous employer on June 2. This date corresponds to the transfer of the hundred confidential files. OpenAI itself draws a connection to the HomeView: according to the company, the documents would have helped Apple design some of its new devices, starting with this home station.
Apple disputes these accusations. The company cites very strict internal rules, designed to prevent new hires from using confidential information from their former employers.
Apple’s Response
In a letter dated October 12, made public, Apple’s lawyers state that the two phone numbers cited by OpenAI in its complaint do not match those of Apple’s two new employees. The company also claims to have found no trace of OpenAI files on its servers.
Apple regrets that OpenAI did not respond directly to this letter and instead took the dispute to court. A trial seems increasingly likely for October 2027. Sam Altman and his team have indicated they are ready for June 2027, but further twists are possible in this case.
