OpenAI wants Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit thrown out, arguing the entire case stems from Apple’s own security failures rather than any coordinated effort to steal confidential information.
In a 31-page motion filed Wednesday, OpenAI asked a federal judge to dismiss Apple’s lawsuit, calling it “meritless” and saying Apple never identifies which trade secrets were actually misappropriated.
The filing marks the company’s strongest response yet to allegations that it systematically recruited former Apple employees to gain access to confidential product information.
Apple’s Own Security Is Now Part of OpenAI’s Defense
Rather than focusing only on Apple’s accusations, OpenAI argues the company created many of the problems it now blames on others.
According to the filing, Apple allowed employees to use personal iCloud accounts for work and later searched personal messages stored on company-issued devices while investigating the alleged leaks.
OpenAI says those practices, not a coordinated campaign to steal trade secrets, explain why some former employees retained access to company systems or information after leaving.
The argument runs throughout the filing. OpenAI uses the words “fail,” “failed,” or “failure” nearly 50 times, repeatedly portraying Apple’s lawsuit as an attempt to shift attention away from weaknesses in its own internal security.
The Case Still Centers on Two Former Apple Leaders
Much of Apple’s complaint revolves around former systems engineer Chang Liu, whom the company accuses of exploiting an authentication bug to access confidential hardware files over several weeks before leaving for OpenAI.
OpenAI disputes that account. It says Liu was helping a former colleague locate information for legitimate work and published text message excerpts it believes support that version of events.
The filing also pushes back on Apple’s portrayal of Tang Yew Tan, Apple’s former vice president of product design for iPhone and Apple Watch.
Tan left Apple to co-found io Products with former Apple design chief Jony Ive before OpenAI acquired the startup in 2025.
OpenAI argues Tan recruited former colleagues using standard industry hiring practices, not as part of a scheme to collect Apple’s confidential information.
OpenAI Even Disputes How the Lawsuit Began
Apple’s complaint says OpenAI ignored outreach before the lawsuit was filed and that both companies discussed the matter with OpenAI’s general counsel. But OpenAI says neither claim is accurate.
According to the filing, Apple’s outside counsel mistakenly contacted the wrong OpenAI employee after confusing two people with similar surnames, undermining Apple’s account of how discussions between the companies unfolded before litigation.
Apple Is Expanding the Fight
Even as OpenAI asks the court to dismiss the lawsuit, Apple is pressing ahead with new claims.
This week the company asked the same judge for a preliminary injunction that would prevent OpenAI from using any alleged trade secrets while the case proceeds.
Apple also requested expedited discovery targeting Liu, Tan, OpenAI, io, and the OpenAI Foundation.
Apple says its internal investigation has now identified 11 additional former employees who may have been involved beyond the three originally named.
According to the company, one former employee discussed unannounced Apple products with Liu before interviewing at OpenAI, while another allegedly took screenshots of confidential documents related to an unreleased product before leaving.
Apple also says several former employees contacted the company after the lawsuit was filed to return company-issued devices they had kept.
OpenAI has called Apple’s request for an injunction “based on false information and completely unnecessary.” The company must formally respond by August 17, with a hearing scheduled for October 1.
