OpenAI accuses ex-employee of handing unreleased device plans to Apple, asks court to allow counterclaims

#What happened

OpenAI filed a court document on October 14 saying an ex-employee took sensitive data about an unreleased product to Apple. The unnamed employee had joined OpenAI from Apple, then returned to Apple six months later. OpenAI says the person sent more than a hundred highly confidential files to personal accounts, including manufacturing data and detailed images of at least one unreleased product. The filing also says the ex-employee gave a presentation about OpenAI product plans to Apple's senior leadership months ago. OpenAI asked the court for permission to investigate and pursue counterclaims if needed. Apple told Reuters it found no evidence to support the claims and has policies to keep new hires from using a prior employer's confidential information. Verified October 14, 2026.

#Why it matters

This flips the trade-secrets fight. Apple sued OpenAI in July, claiming employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan stole Apple secrets to build OpenAI's AI hardware. Now OpenAI says the flow went the other way too. Judge Edward Davila said he is highly likely to grant Apple a preliminary injunction blocking OpenAI from using the allegedly stolen secrets. The legal outcome could shape who gets to build what in AI hardware.