Apple is suing OpenAI over alleged theft of intellectual property, claiming the ChatGPT maker failed to respond to trade secret theft complaints. OpenAI now counters that it did reply, blaming an email mixup by Apple's outside counsel for the confusion.

According to emails shared with NBC, Apple's lawyers confused two OpenAI employees — one surnamed Wang and ex-Apple employee Chang Liu — potentially sending legal correspondence to the wrong address. Apple's counsel reportedly apologized for the error before the lawsuit was filed, but Apple maintains OpenAI ceased communication afterward.

The dispute doesn't alter the core allegations of systemic trade secret theft involving roughly 400 former Apple employees allegedly poached by OpenAI. Sam Altman's company argues the missed-email claim is a procedural distraction, not a legal defense. Tim Cook has previously resolved high-stakes disputes via direct calls, as with Elon Musk, raising questions why similar outreach didn't occur here.

As discovery proceeds, the full email trail will clarify the sequence. For now, the email error appears a minor misstep in a case that could significantly impact OpenAI's future, with the trial set to focus on the substantive IP theft claims.