Apple has moved to intensify its trade secrets case against OpenAI, asking the court for a preliminary injunction that would restrict the AI model maker from advancing an AI device or other products allegedly based on Apple technology.
The new filing also widens the frame of Apple’s claims. Beyond the former employees already named, Apple says its continuing investigation has pointed to 11 other former Apple employees who may have been witnesses or otherwise involved.
What Apple Is Asking The Court To Do
Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction in the trade secrets case. The company says the order is needed to stop OpenAI from moving forward with development work on an AI device or other products that Apple believes may rely on its technology.
The iPhone maker is also requesting expedited discovery. That request targets accused OpenAI employees senior systems engineer Chang Liu and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, along with OpenAI, its foundation, and io, the device startup co-founded by Apple’s former lead designer Jony Ive.
Expedited discovery matters because it would let Apple pursue information faster than the normal pace of litigation. Based on the filing described in the source article, Apple is arguing that it has good cause to suspect the alleged conduct reaches beyond the people named in the original complaint.
Why The Case Now Looks Broader
The latest filing marks an escalation because Apple says it has found indications that more former employees may be connected to the dispute. Apple says 11 other former Apple employees beyond Liu and Tan may have been witnesses or otherwise involved, and it also refers to others named in the original complaint, including OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng.
Apple’s filing gives examples of conduct it says raised concern. In one instance, Apple says another former Apple employee appeared to meet with Mr. Liu and Ms. Peng before Ms. Peng’s interview at OpenAI and discuss Apple proprietary information related to unannounced products.
In another example, Apple says a different former Apple employee took screenshots of confidential Apple documents related to an unannounced Apple product before an interview at OpenAI.
Apple also claims that after it filed its complaint, multiple former Apple employees now working at OpenAI contacted the company about returning Apple-issued work devices they had kept after leaving Apple. Apple presents that detail as part of its argument that more people may have been connected to the alleged scheme.
OpenAI Rejects Apple’s Claims
OpenAI publicly responded to Apple’s latest move in a blog post. The company said 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.”
OpenAI also said, “We’re much more interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the frontier.”
The company pointed to earlier mistakes by Apple that had already been reported. According to OpenAI, Apple emailed the wrong person when it contacted OpenAI after confusing two similar surnames.
OpenAI also alleges that Apple lied about discussing matters with its general counsel. In addition, OpenAI says Apple did not admit that the “residual access” that allowed former employees to access Apple’s system resulted from poor security procedures on Apple’s part.
What The Dispute Centers On
At the center of the case is Apple’s claim that confidential information tied to its technology and unannounced products may have been taken by former employees and used in connection with OpenAI’s product development efforts.
The dispute also reaches io, the device startup co-founded by Jony Ive, because Apple’s filing seeks discovery from that company as well. The source article does not state what specific product OpenAI or io may be developing, beyond Apple’s concern about an AI device or other products based on Apple technology.
The case now involves several overlapping questions:
- whether confidential Apple documents or proprietary information were taken or shared;
- whether former Apple employees now at OpenAI or connected to OpenAI played a role;
- whether Apple can justify expedited discovery;
- whether the court should grant Apple’s pending preliminary injunction request;
- whether OpenAI’s denial undercuts Apple’s claim that urgent restrictions are needed.
For Apple, the latest filing is an attempt to show that the alleged trade secret theft may be wider than the original complaint suggested. For OpenAI, the public response frames Apple’s request as unnecessary and built on incorrect information.
Why The Next Steps Matter
The immediate legal stakes are procedural and practical. If Apple succeeds in obtaining expedited discovery, it could gain earlier access to information from the accused employees, OpenAI, its foundation, and io. If it succeeds on the preliminary injunction request, OpenAI could face limits on product development tied to the disputed technology.
For now, the source article describes allegations and denials, not a final ruling on whether the claimed misconduct occurred. Apple says its investigation has uncovered reasons to look more deeply. OpenAI says it does not possess or seek Apple’s trade secrets.
That tension is why the filing is significant. It moves the dispute from a narrower claim involving named former employees toward a broader fight over who knew what, what materials may have moved, and whether any OpenAI work should be restrained while the case proceeds.