New Delhi, July 11 (IANS). Giant tech company Apple has taken a major legal step against AI company OpenAI and its hardware head. Apple alleged that OpenAI systematically tried to obtain confidential information, designs and technical documents related to its upcoming products.
According to media reports, in a lawsuit filed in the Northern District Court of California, Apple said that OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan encouraged Apple employees during job interviews to share information, components, drawings and other confidential materials related to the company’s upcoming products.
Tang Tan previously served as Vice President of Product Design at Apple. He led the iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and many other hardware products of the company.
The lawsuit also names former iPhone hardware engineer Chang Liu. Apple alleges that Chang Liu unlawfully accessed dozens of Apple’s confidential hardware files while developing hardware for OpenAI. These files contained detailed technical information and engineering presentations related to yet-to-be-launched products.
Apple also alleged that OpenAI advised several employees to take steps when leaving the company that would allow them to retain access to confidential files.
However, OpenAI has rejected all these allegations. The company says it has no interest in any other company’s trade secrets and is focused on developing new technology that will empower people around the world.
Apple and OpenAI have had a close partnership in recent years. OpenAI provided key technology for the Apple Intelligence Platform and Siri digital assistant. But in the last one year, tension increased in the relations between the two companies. One reason for this has also been attributed to OpenAI’s involvement of Apple’s former famous design chief Johnny Ive to develop new devices.
Apple also claims in the lawsuit that OpenAI poached about 400 Apple employees a few months before its proposed IPO. Apple alleges that at every level, from technical staff to chief hardware officer, OpenAI colluded with its business associates in an attempt to obtain Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information.
Apple has demanded from the court that OpenAI destroy all its proprietary confidential documents and materials and redesign its upcoming products by removing the allegedly copied technology.
–IANS
VKU/AS