Case filings in the dispute between OpenAI and Apple show that the two companies have made mutual allegations involving former employees and trade secrets.
In a filing submitted to the court, OpenAI alleged that one of its former employees took to Apple more than 100 confidential documents related to a device that is still in development and has not been released. The company argued that the employee sent the documents to a personal account on June 2, the employee's last day at OpenAI.
The documents allegedly contained engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information and internal company project documents. OpenAI also alleged that the former employee presented the company's product plans to Apple's senior executives.
OpenAI claimed that the information may have helped advance Apple's plans for artificial intelligence-powered products. The company said those plans included the smart home devices Apple announced on Tuesday.
Apple denies the allegations
Apple rejected OpenAI's allegations and argued that no evidence had been presented to support them. The company alleged that OpenAI was using the claims to divert attention from another ongoing lawsuit between the two companies.
Apple's counter-allegations against OpenAI
In a separate lawsuit filed in July, Apple accused OpenAI of stealing its trade secrets and confidential information to develop new consumer hardware. The company argued that OpenAI's hardware strategy was based entirely on stolen trade secrets and was unlawful.
The case filing also included allegations against former Apple employees Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI. Apple alleged that Tan asked candidates working at his company who applied for jobs at OpenAI to bring confidential Apple hardware components to interviews.
Apple also alleged that Chang Liu accessed the Apple network through the computer of a former colleague and downloaded dozens of confidential hardware files related to unreleased products.
According to the company's court filing, OpenAI gave employees in the process of leaving Apple specific tactics to extend their access to Apple's systems. Apple also alleged that OpenAI asked hardware companies to apply a proprietary metal-coating technique Apple had developed and led those companies to believe that Apple had authorized it.
Apple sought an immediate halt to the use of its trade secrets, the return of all confidential and proprietary materials, and monetary compensation for the damages it suffered.
