source: techcrunch ai: the wildest allegations in apple’s trade secrets lawsuit against openai
level: business
apple filed a 41-page lawsuit against openai, claiming a coordinated effort to extract confidential information from current and former apple employees. the complaint details messages like 'lol, i found out i can access the [network storage], so funny,' sent by a former apple engineer now at openai. apple says this reflects a culture of misconduct led from the top, describing openai as 'rotten to its core' and alleging its hardware business relies on stolen secrets.
the lawsuit includes allegations that openai's chief hardware officer, a former apple vp, directed job candidates to bring 'actual parts' and prototypes from apple to interviews for 'show and tell sessions.' one candidate expressed surprise, not knowing parts could be taken. apple also claims openai coached departing employees on avoiding apple's security procedures, including how to dodge the 'dreaded walkout' that would immediately remove them, giving more time to access confidential data.
apple reveals over 400 former employees now work at openai, suggesting widespread exposure to secrets. the complaint also targets io, a company founded by ex-apple designers and acquired by openai, for allegedly misusing apple's industrial design techniques. apple says it tried to contact openai in february but received no response, leaving it 'no choice' but to sue. openai publicly stated it has no interest in others' trade secrets.
why it matters: the case highlights risks of trade secret theft in ai talent wars, potentially affecting how companies protect proprietary data and hire from competitors.
source: techcrunch ai: the wildest allegations in apple’s trade secrets lawsuit against openai