OpenAI takes Apple lawsuit to court of public opinion, posts texts

In July, technology giant Apple filed a significant lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging the latter had wrongfully acquired confidential information by hiring former Apple employees. Now, OpenAI is countering Apple's claims, not just through legal proceedings but also via a public blog post. This moves the dispute into the realm of public opinion, backed by evidence.

The blog post, titled "Apple is getting this wrong," includes recreations of texts and copies of emails that OpenAI asserts directly refute several assertions made in Apple's lawsuit. This strategic move allows the public a behind-the-scenes glimpse into such legal disputes, adding a layer of transparency. OpenAI's blog post contains pointed comments about Apple's legal representation, claiming the firm initially contacted the wrong individual at OpenAI and misrepresented their conversations in legal documents.

Apple's lawsuit, filed on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, named OpenAI's commercial and nonprofit entities, along with its hardware subsidiary, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, and OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan. Apple alleges that former employees stole Apple's trade secrets to aid OpenAI.

However, OpenAI denies these allegations, presenting a series of exchanges between Apple employees and Liu, which they claim contradict Apple's suit. Apple's claims include allegations that Liu accessed confidential information post-Apple, but OpenAI argues Apple's employees actually sought his help in locating this data. This blog post, "Apple is getting this wrong," subtly targets Apple's legal team, suggesting they contacted the incorrect person at OpenAI and misrepresented their discussions.

Apple had earlier claimed they contacted OpenAI in February, only to later admit they mistakenly emailed the wrong individual after confusing two Asian surnames. They also claimed to have discussed certain matters with OpenAI's General Counsel, a claim OpenAI now dismisses. Apple's legal filings, however, still include the emails exchanged.

The blog post also reveals a back-and-forth with Apple's legal representation, highlighting the confusion surrounding these communications. OpenAI expresses frustration, stating they had hoped Apple would raise these issues before filing their lawsuit, and would have been eager to clarify the situation. Despite this, OpenAI accuses Apple of attempting to alter their narrative, including making vague accusations against other former Apple employees.

The legal battle between these tech giants, part of a larger trend where Big Tech companies vie for talent, underscores the lucrative nature of the AI industry. Apple's open public rebuttal could provide OpenAI an advantage in shaping public perception, even if the lawsuit's outcome rests in court or through a settlement. It's worth noting that Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, had previously filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging copyright infringement related to OpenAI's AI systems training and operations.