OpenAI has asked a California federal court to dismiss Apple’s trade‑secrets lawsuit, calling it “baseless and pretextual.” The ChatGPT maker argues Apple is using litigation to stop an employee exodus to OpenAI, which has hired hundreds of former Apple designers and engineers, including hardware chief Tang Tan.

The dispute centers on Apple’s claim that OpenAI stole confidential hardware information via former employees such as electrical engineer Chang Liu. OpenAI counters that Apple failed to identify specific secrets, mischaracterized its own off‑boarding failures, and even authorized Liu to retrieve files after he was “hastily walked … out of the door.” The filing also notes Apple’s sloppy iCloud practices that mixed personal and corporate data.

The case follows OpenAI’s $6.4bn acquisition of Jony Ive’s io Products and its plan for a screen‑less AI gadget. Apple, which recently partnered with Google for “Siri AI,” seeks an injunction to block OpenAI from using alleged secrets. A hearing is set for October before Judge Edward Davila.

Analysts say the suit reflects broader tension as Apple struggles to integrate AI into its products while rivals like Meta and Google aggressively recruit its talent. The outcome could set precedent for employee mobility in California’s tech sector.