Apple claims that more former employees may have handed confidential data to OpenAI. This comes as Apple actively tries to get a court order to stop OpenAI.

Apple wants a preliminary injunction. That’s a court order that would block OpenAI from moving ahead with any device or product built using Apple’s technology.

This big ask could freeze parts of OpenAI’s hardware plans before they even launch. Apple filed new paperwork in court this week. The company wants expedited discovery too. 

That means Apple wants fast access to evidence from the people and companies involved.

Apple is targeting senior systems engineer Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer. 

The company is going after OpenAI itself, along with its foundation. And Apple named io, the device startup started by Jony Ive, Apple’s former lead designer.

More Employees

Apple says its investigation turned up 11 more former employees. These people may have been witnesses, or they may have played a role in the alleged theft.

That’s on top of employees already named in the original complaint. One of those is Yu-Ting Peng, who now works at OpenAI.

Accusations

Apple’s court filing includes some striking accusations. One former Apple employee reportedly met with Liu and Peng before Peng’s OpenAI interview. 

During that meeting, Apple claims, they discussed confidential details about unannounced products.

Another former employee allegedly took screenshots. These photos reportedly captured secret documents tied to an unreleased Apple product. 

Apple says this happened right before the employee interviewed at OpenAI. After it filed the original lawsuit, Apple claimed several former employees now working at OpenAI reached out.

They wanted to return Apple-issued devices they had kept after leaving the company.

Also read: OpenAI Denies Stealing Apple’s Trade Secrets

Expedited Discovery

Courts don’t always grant expedited discovery, and companies have to show good cause. The company believes there’s a chance more people took part in taking its intellectual property.

Getting evidence quickly, Apple argues, is the only way to fully understand what happened.

Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction is still pending too. Both moves show a company trying to move fast in a case it clearly sees as serious.

OpenAI 

OpenAI published a blog post responding directly to Apple’s claims. It called Apple’s injunction request “both based on false information and completely unnecessary.” 

The company added a firm denial, stating it does not have, and does not want, any of Apple’s trade secrets.

OpenAI then stated its own priorities. The statement said the company is “much more interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the frontier.”

Apple’s Mistakes

OpenAI brought up earlier reporting that made Apple look sloppy, not victimized. Apple reportedly emailed the wrong person entirely.

The mix-up happened because two people had similar last names. It’s a small error, but OpenAI is using it to question Apple’s overall handling of the situation.

OpenAI also claims Apple was not truthful about internal conversations with its own general counsel. And there’s another accusation. 

OpenAI says Apple has not admitted that former employees kept “residual access” to Apple’s systems because of weak security on Apple’s end, not because of any wrongdoing by OpenAI.