{
  "id": 4797389,
  "title": "OpenAI says Apple has only itself to blame in trade-secret fight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/openai-says-apple-has-only-itself-to-blame-in-trade-secret-fight-4797389",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-01T05:32:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNA - Business",
    "slug": "cna-business",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/openai-says-apple-has-only-itself-blame-in-trade-secret-fight-6354066"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a trade-secret dispute, OpenAI has accused Apple of being solely responsible for the issue, contending that the iPhone maker has failed to provide evidence of stolen confidential information. OpenAI argued that Apple's own policies and practices contribute to the mess, stating that the lawsuit is a direct result of their own making. The conflict began when Apple sued OpenAI and former employees Tang Tan and Chang Liu in July, alleging the misappropriation of trade secrets related to hardware design, manufacturing, and supply-chain operations as OpenAI ventured into consumer devices. OpenAI maintains that Apple is using the lawsuit as a tactic to impede a potential competitor and dissuade employees from leaving. The AI firm, led by CEO Sam Altman, claims Apple is leveraging the legal battle to slow down the growth of a possible rival and discourage talent departures. OpenAI has recruited around 400 former Apple employees for its hardware project, as both companies have stated in court filings. California law permits employees to transition between rival companies without restriction, according to OpenAI. The legal action marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two companies, which previously collaborated to enhance ChatGPT's presence and strengthen Apple's position in the AI sector. However, the partnership dissolved as competition in the AI industry intensified. Apple argued that OpenAI's hiring of former employees was part of their strategy to acquire the company's secrets, claiming that Tang Tan and Chang Liu accessed internal Apple files after leaving the organization. OpenAI refuted these allegations, explaining that Apple allows employees to utilize personal iCloud accounts to access company documents, making it challenging for departing staff to separate personal and corporate information. OpenAI cited Apple's practice of immediately escorting departing employees from its premises, which does not provide enough time for employees to return company devices, return internal files, or relinquish responsibilities. In the filing, Liu stated that access to Apple documents post his departure was aimed at assisting former Apple colleagues in locating files or addressing work-related queries. He asserted that Apple employees frequently reached out to him for help after his departure. Tan, who worked at Apple for 24 years, mentioned that he returned Apple prototypes before leaving and kept only non-confidential materials, including an employee departure checklist that was not confidential.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Apple reveals ‘shocking evidence’ from ex-employee’s MacBook in OpenAI suit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/apple-reveals-shocking-evidence-from-ex-employees-macbook-in-openai",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:20:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "AppleInsider",
        "title": "New evidence shows OpenAI's trade secret theft & destruction of evidence, says Apple",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/new-evidence-shows-openais-trade-secret-theft-destruction-of-evidence",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:24:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Apple alleges OpenAI defendant accessed circuit schematic",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/apple-alleges-openai-defendant-accessed-circuit-schematic",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:29:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Apple alleges OpenAI employee accessed circuit plans after joining startup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/apple-alleges-openai-employee-accessed-circuit-plans-after-joining",
        "published": "2026-08-31T20:41:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechCrunch",
        "title": "Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/apple-shares-shocking-evidence-against-former-employee-accused-of",
        "published": "2026-09-01T00:13:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "Apple alleges OpenAI employee accessed circuit plans after joining startup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/apple-alleges-openai-employee-accessed-circuit-plans-after-joining",
        "published": "2026-09-01T02:21:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Apple claims OpenAI is using confidential Apple material and destroying evidence",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/apple-claims-openai-is-using-confidential-apple-material-and",
        "published": "2026-09-01T05:44:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
        "title": "OpenAI says Apple has only itself to blame in trade-secret fight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/openai-says-apple-has-only-itself-to-blame-in-trade-secret-fight-4798001",
        "published": "2026-09-01T05:46:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}