{
  "id": 4803556,
  "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-4803556",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-01T05:58:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Economic Times Tech",
    "slug": "economic-times-tech",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/openai-says-apple-has-only-itself-to-blame-in-trade-secret-fight/articleshow/133669992.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI dismissed Apple's accusations of trade secret theft, asserting Apple failed to demonstrate any confidential information being taken by former staff members. OpenAI referred to this dispute as a result of Apple's misguided attempts, blaming others for the situation. The legal battle began in July when Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and former employees Tang Tan and Chang Liu, accusing them of stealing trade secrets linked to hardware design, manufacturing and supply-chain operations. OpenAI maintains that Apple is utilizing the lawsuit to hinder a potential rival and deter employee departures. OpenAI has recruited approximately 400 former Apple employees for its hardware venture. California law permits employees the freedom to switch jobs within the same industry, according to OpenAI. The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the strained relationship between the two companies, which formerly collaborated to enhance ChatGPT's presence and bolster Apple's standing in AI. Apple's initial claim was that OpenAI's hiring of former Apple staff was part of the AI lab's plan to uncover the competitor's secrets. OpenAI countered that Apple allows employees to utilize personal iCloud accounts to access company documents, complicating the separation of personal and professional information for departing staff. OpenAI argued that Apple's requirement of leaving the premises immediately does not provide sufficient time for employees to return company devices, return internal files to the company, or transfer responsibilities. In the filing, Liu claimed that his access to Apple documents post-departure was aimed at assisting ex-colleagues locate files or answer work-related questions. He stated that Apple employees frequently reached out to him for help after leaving. Tan, who worked for Apple for 24 years, stated he returned prototypes before departing and only took non-confidential materials, including an employee departure checklist that was not confidential.",
  "summary": "\"This dispute is a mess of Apple's own making, and it is trying to blame everyone else,\" OpenAI said in a filing late Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}