via Decrypt AI
OpenAI Subpoenas Apple Employees' Text Messages in Trade Secret Lawsuit
In a dramatic escalation of its legal defense, OpenAI is compelling Apple to produce text messages from its employees in a bid to counter allegations of trade secret misappropriation. The move, disclosed in court filings this week, underscores the intensifying legal battles facing the AI industry as it scrambles for talent and technology.
The lawsuit, filed by a former OpenAI researcher, alleges that the company improperly used proprietary information obtained during the plaintiff's tenure at Apple. OpenAI denies the claims, arguing that the evidence will show its innovations were developed independently and in compliance with all legal and ethical standards. As part of its defense, OpenAI has issued a subpoena seeking text messages from current and former Apple employees who were in contact with the plaintiff or had access to relevant technical discussions.
Legal experts say this aggressive discovery tactic is designed to demonstrate that the alleged trade secrets were either publicly known or independently developed by multiple teams across the industry. 'OpenAI is betting that the messages will reveal a broader ecosystem of development and collaboration that undermines the plaintiff's claims of secrecy,' said Sarah Chen, a technology lawyer at Pillsbury & Cole. 'It's a high-stakes gamble that could reshape how trade secret cases are argued in the AI sector.'
Apple has not yet filed a response to the subpoena, but the company is expected to push back, citing privacy concerns and the burden of complying with broad discovery requests. The tech giant has previously resisted similar demands in other cases, arguing that its employees' communications are protected by attorney-client privilege and internal confidentiality policies.
The case is one of several legal challenges facing OpenAI as it navigates a rapidly evolving regulatory and competitive landscape. In 2026, the company faces heightened scrutiny over its data practices, licensing agreements, and the origins of its foundational models. Industry analysts note that the outcome of this lawsuit could set precedent for how AI companies handle intellectual property disputes in an era of unprecedented innovation and talent mobility.
As the discovery phase unfolds, all eyes will be on the court's handling of the subpoena motion, with a hearing scheduled for late March. For now, the battle lines are drawn, and the tech world watches closely as OpenAI fights to protect its reputation and its future.