OpenAI fires back at Apple's trade secret lawsuit with chat logs showing Apple employees kept texting their former colleague
OpenAI vs. Apple: leaked iMessages show the trade secret case isn't as clear-cut as it looks.
Why it matters
A high-profile legal battle between two AI powerhouses over alleged trade secret theft reveals messy workplace realities—Apple employees themselves reaching out to their departed colleague for help. For practitioners and legal watchers, this signals how quickly IP disputes can unravel when communication norms are murky.
The key facts
10 to knowOpenAI released iMessage threads from former Apple engineer Chang Liu
Messages show Apple employees contacting Liu after his departure
Employees requested technical help and internal files from Liu
Case centers on alleged trade secret misappropriation
Defense strategy: establish Apple's own security/IP controls were lax
OpenAI released iMessage transcripts from former Apple engineer Chang Liu
Messages reportedly show Apple employees contacted Liu for technical help after his departure
Apple filed trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI
Case involves alleged unauthorized access to internal files by departing engineer
Dispute centers on employee/IP management practices in competitive AI talent market
Go to the source
The Decoderthe-decoder.com
Publisher excerpt: OpenAI is pushing back against Apple's trade secret lawsuit and has released iMessage threads from former Apple engineer Chang Liu. The messages appear to show Apple employees themselves reaching out to their former colleague for technical help and internal files after he left the company. The…