Apple sues OpenAI for theft of trade secrets in hardware finishing
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of stealing trade secrets, particularly its proprietary metal finishing techniques.
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets, with specific reference to its proprietary metal finishing techniques for hardware.
The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI has systematically used Apple's confidential information and development efforts to replicate its hardware technologies. Apple claims these finishing techniques, which contribute to the premium feel of products like the iPhone, are the result of decades of its own research and development.
OpenAI has denied the allegations. Drew Pusateri, OpenAI's director of strategic communications, stated on social media that the company has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and remains focused on developing empowering technology.
According to the lawsuit, OpenAI allegedly used confidential Apple information to approach Apple's manufacturing partners, misleading them into believing they had Apple's permission to perform specific metal finishing techniques. Apple argues that the stolen information represents years of its own research and hundreds of billions of dollars in investment, significantly devaluing its intellectual property and potentially allowing competitors to bypass development costs and time.