OpenAI alleges a former employee took over 100 files containing unreleased device plans and product information to a personal account before presenting them to Apple leadership, escalating the ongoing trade secrets dispute between the two companies.
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">OpenAI claims a former employee took more than 100 files related to its product plans before joining Apple. In <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28812737-openai-trade-secrets-claim/">a document filed on Wednesday</a>, OpenAI accuses the unnamed employee of sending this information to a personal account and then presenting it to Apple leadership, including the vice president of the company's operations in Asia.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The filing, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/openai-employee-who-left-apple-took-files-about-unreleased-device-openai-alleges-2026-10-14/">reported earlier by Reuters</a>, is tied to a legal battle between <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/964843/apple-openai-lawsuit-wildest-claims">Apple and OpenAI</a> over trade secrets - but this time, OpenAI is doing the accusing. It alleges that the files in question contain images of at least one unreleased device, along with supplier information, engineering data, project files …</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1011276/openai-employee-unreleased-product-plans">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
# OpenAI claims an ex-employee took its product plans and presented them to Apple
Source: [https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1011276/openai-employee-unreleased-product-plans](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1011276/openai-employee-unreleased-product-plans)
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Emma Roth
is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more\. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO\.
OpenAI claims a former employee took more than 100 files related to its product plans before joining Apple\. In[a document filed on Wednesday](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/28812737-openai-trade-secrets-claim/), OpenAI accuses the unnamed employee of sending this information to a personal account and then presenting it to Apple leadership, including the vice president of the company’s operations in Asia\.
The filing,[reported earlier by Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/openai-employee-who-left-apple-took-files-about-unreleased-device-openai-alleges-2026-10-14/), is tied to a legal battle between[Apple and OpenAI](https://www.theverge.com/tech/964843/apple-openai-lawsuit-wildest-claims)over trade secrets — but this time, OpenAI is doing the accusing\. It alleges that the files in question contain images of at least one unreleased device, along with supplier information, engineering data, project files, standards for cosmetic finishes, and reports about the “coating and sealing of hardware components\.”
OpenAI also links Apple’s[new HomeView smart display](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009877/apple-homeview-smart-home-display-hands-on)and the[range of other devices](https://www.theverge.com/tech/1009680/apple-home-collection-doorbell-lock-camera-smart-home-announced)it revealed this week to the former employee’s presentation\. “That presentation appears to have happened months ago — and now, armed with that information, Apple is making a new push into AI\-enabled products,” OpenAI claims, while[citing an article](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/13/apple-makes-another-push-into-the-smart-home-market-with-homeview/)and[a company announcement](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/10/introducing-apple-home-collection-a-new-lineup-of-smart-home-accessories/)about Apple’s new product releases\.
Apple’s product plans typically operate on a very long timeline, and its smart display has[been rumored for years](https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/29/24257391/apple-smart-home-display-homeos-apple-intelligence-homepod-ipad-robot)\. Conversely,[Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing confidential documents](https://www.theverge.com/tech/964843/apple-openai-lawsuit-wildest-claims)and spying on hardware prototypes to help build its own products\.
“OpenAI is very concerned that its trade secret and confidential information is now circulating inside Apple, where Apple engineers can shape Apple’s upcoming products based on OpenAI’s confidential and innovative work,” OpenAI claims\. Apple didn’t immediately respond to*The Verge*’s request for comment\.
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- Emma Roth
Apple is suing OpenAI after a former engineer allegedly exploited a bug to steal confidential hardware files before joining OpenAI, accusing the company of conspiring to use the stolen trade secrets.
Apple escalates its trade-secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, seeking a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery while claiming that more former employees may have shared confidential data with OpenAI.
Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging trade secret theft and breach of contract, particularly related to hardware development and recruiting practices. The lawsuit accuses former Apple executive Tang Tan and others of taking confidential information to help OpenAI build a competing hardware product.
Apple has sent legal preservation letters to approximately 40 former employees now at OpenAI, expanding its trade secret lawsuit against the AI company. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI recruited Apple engineers and misappropriated confidential hardware and product development information.
Apple's trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI contains extraordinary allegations, including employees accessing Apple's systems by exploiting an authentication bug and being directed to bring Apple parts to interviews. Apple claims the misconduct is normalized by OpenAI's leadership.