SAN FRANCISCO: The Apple OpenAI lawsuit drew a sharp response from Elon Musk, who accused OpenAI of wrongdoing after Apple filed a federal trade-secret case against the ChatGPT maker.
Apple filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing OpenAI of misappropriating trade secrets to support its AI hardware plans, AP reported.
The lawsuit names OpenAI, io Products, former Apple design executive Tang Yew Tan and former Apple senior system electrical engineer Chang Liu as defendants, according to AP and Al Jazeera.
Apple alleges that OpenAI recruited former Apple employees and encouraged them to share confidential hardware information. AP reported that Apple also accused the defendants of accessing sensitive files after leaving the company.
Read: Elon Musk’s xAI Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged Antitrust Violations
Musk responded on X after reports of the lawsuit circulated. He wrote that OpenAI “sure put a lot of effort into this crime” and later targeted OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman.
The comments added to Musk’s long-running feud with OpenAI, which he co-founded before later breaking with Altman and the company’s leadership.
Apple’s case also marks a major shift in its relationship with OpenAI. The companies partnered in 2024 when Apple integrated ChatGPT into iPhone software, AP reported.
Read: OpenAI Reportedly Plans First ChatGPT-Powered Audio Device for 2026
OpenAI denied interest in other companies’ trade secrets and said it remained focused on building technology/
Apple is seeking court orders to block use of its alleged confidential material, recover electronic evidence and obtain damages.
