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OpenAI rebuts Apple trade secrets allegations in new response with receipts

OpenAI has published a detailed response to Apple's trade secrets allegations, denying the claims and providing evidence to support their stance. The response includes email correspondence and iMessage screenshots that contradict Apple's claims.

By Zac Hall·Aug 4·9to5mac.com·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

OpenAI rebuts Apple trade secrets allegations in new response with receipts
Image: 9to5mac.com

OpenAI has responded to Apple's trade secrets allegations, denying the claims and providing evidence to support their stance. The response includes email correspondence and iMessage screenshots that contradict Apple's claims.

Why it matters

This story matters to those following the tech industry, as it involves a high-profile lawsuit between two major players. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the tech industry as a whole.

Imagine you're playing a game with your friends, and someone accuses you of cheating. You deny it and show them the rules of the game, which say that you can't cheat. But the person who accused you says that you're still cheating because you have a special power that lets you do things that others can't. OpenAI is like the person who's being accused of cheating, and Apple is like the person who's accusing them. OpenAI is saying that they're not cheating, and that they have evidence to prove it. But Apple is saying that OpenAI is still cheating because they have a special power that lets them do things that others can't.

Analysis

A $60B Vote of Confidence

OpenAI's response to Apple's trade secrets allegations is a significant development in the ongoing lawsuit. The company has denied the claims, providing evidence to support their stance. This includes email correspondence and iMessage screenshots that contradict Apple's claims. OpenAI's response is a clear indication that they are taking the allegations seriously and are willing to defend themselves against them.

One of the key points made by OpenAI is that Apple had not properly notified them about the issue before the lawsuit was filed. OpenAI claims that Apple's outside lawyers emailed the wrong person after confusing two Asian last names, and that they only brought this to their attention after OpenAI pointed it out. This suggests that Apple may have been careless in their approach to the lawsuit.

Another key point made by OpenAI is that they had offered to work with Apple to resolve the issue before the lawsuit was filed. However, Apple chose to pursue the lawsuit instead, which OpenAI sees as a change in their narrative. OpenAI is now accusing Apple of trying to shift the blame to 'residual access', a common issue with Apple that is caused by them failing to properly manage system access when people leave.

The response also defends Tang Tan, a former Apple employee who is a major focus of the complaint. OpenAI claims that Tan has always been clear with the team that they do not want, and must not use, any confidential information from other companies. This suggests that Tan is not a malicious actor, but rather someone who is trying to do the right thing.

Overall, OpenAI's response to Apple's trade secrets allegations is a significant development in the ongoing lawsuit. The company has denied the claims, providing evidence to support their stance. This suggests that OpenAI is taking the allegations seriously and is willing to defend themselves against them.

Why Cursor?

One of the key questions surrounding the lawsuit is why Apple chose to pursue it in the first place. OpenAI's response suggests that Apple may have been motivated by a desire to shift the blame to 'residual access', a common issue with Apple that is caused by them failing to properly manage system access when people leave. This suggests that Apple may have been trying to deflect attention from their own mistakes.

Another possibility is that Apple is trying to intimidate OpenAI into dropping their plans to develop AI-powered hardware. By filing a lawsuit, Apple may be trying to create a sense of uncertainty and risk around OpenAI's plans, which could deter them from pursuing their goals.

The Road Ahead

The outcome of the lawsuit is still uncertain, and it is unclear how the situation will play out. However, one thing is clear: OpenAI is not backing down. The company has denied the allegations, providing evidence to support their stance. This suggests that they are willing to defend themselves against the lawsuit, and that they are confident in their ability to do so.

In the end, the outcome of the lawsuit will depend on a variety of factors, including the evidence presented by both sides and the decisions made by the court. However, one thing is clear: this is a significant development in the ongoing lawsuit, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Key points

  • OpenAI has denied Apple's trade secrets allegations, providing evidence to support their stance.
  • The response includes email correspondence and iMessage screenshots that contradict Apple's claims.
  • OpenAI claims that Apple had not properly notified them about the issue before the lawsuit was filed.
  • OpenAI had offered to work with Apple to resolve the issue before the lawsuit was filed.
  • OpenAI is accusing Apple of trying to shift the blame to 'residual access', a common issue with Apple that is caused by them failing to properly manage system access when people leave.
The Upside

If OpenAI's response to Apple's trade secrets allegations is successful, it could have significant implications for the tech industry as a whole. It could set a precedent for how companies handle trade secrets and intellectual property, and it could also demonstrate the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry.

The Downside

If OpenAI's response to Apple's trade secrets allegations is unsuccessful, it could have significant implications for the company's future plans. It could lead to a loss of confidence in OpenAI's ability to develop AI-powered hardware, and it could also lead to a decrease in investment in the company.

Originally reported at

9to5mac.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsai-agentsappleopenaitrade-secretslawsuit

Author

Zac Hall

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 4, 2026

Source

9to5mac.com

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