Apple has sent preservation notices to about 40 former staff now working at OpenAI, a step that widens the scope of its hardware‑related lawsuit against the artificial‑intelligence firm.
Legal letters aim to lock down evidence
The letters, described in a recent report, require each recipient to retain any communications, files or device data that could relate to the dispute. By demanding that former employees “freeze and preserve” such material, Apple signals that its investigation may extend well beyond the names highlighted in its initial filing.
According to the filing, Apple’s complaint alleges a coordinated effort to poach talent and extract trade secrets concerning consumer‑hardware design and manufacturing. The company claims more than 400 ex‑employees now sit at OpenAI, and it calls the discovered misconduct “the tip of the iceberg.”
Two high‑profile defectors are central to the original case: Tang Tan, now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer after a 24‑year stint at Apple, and Chang Liu, a senior system electrical engineer who also moved to OpenAI’s hardware team.
Accusations focus on recruitment tactics and stolen designs
Apple alleges Tan actively recruited its staff and urged prospective hires to review confidential Apple materials before interviews. The complaint further states that OpenAI hosted secret “show and tell” sessions where new engineers displayed allegedly stolen Apple prototypes and design layouts, accelerating OpenAI’s internal development of consumer AI hardware.
The preservation letters serve a dual purpose, as reported by another outlet. First, they set the stage for broader discovery requests as the trial nears. Second, they alert remaining defectors that Apple is monitoring their output closely.
Apple is seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction to bar OpenAI from using any Apple‑derived information while it builds unannounced consumer AI devices. The request highlights the tech giant’s intent to protect its intellectual property aggressively.
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OpenAI responded this week with a brief statement denying the allegations. The company said it is unaware of any evidence supporting Apple’s claims and emphasized its commitment to fair market competition. It added that professionals should be free to work wherever they choose.
OpenAI denied the claims.
While the legal battle unfolds, the broader issue of talent mobility in the tech sector remains a point of contention. Companies often argue that aggressive poaching can undermine years of research and development, whereas others view such movement as a natural part of a competitive industry. The outcome of this case could influence how firms approach hiring practices and protect proprietary information in fast‑moving fields.
In the meantime, the preservation notices have placed a spotlight on the individuals who switched allegiances. Some of the 40 recipients have not yet publicly commented, leaving open the question of how much relevant material they actually possess. The letters themselves do not disclose the specific content Apple hopes to secure, only that it may be “relevant to the ongoing corporate dispute.”
Legal analysts note that the move is not uncommon in high‑stakes IP litigation, where parties often attempt to lock down evidence before it can be altered or destroyed. However, the scale of Apple’s request—targeting dozens of former employees—suggests a heightened level of concern about potential leaks.
As the case proceeds, the court will likely decide how broadly to enforce the preservation orders and whether OpenAI’s hiring practices breach any legal standards. The dispute may also prompt other companies to reassess how they safeguard design data and manage employee transitions.
