Apple has sent legal letters to dozens of former Apple employees now working at OpenAI, urging them to preserve potentially relevant documents as it continues its trade‑secret lawsuit. The Financial Times reports that Apple targeted around 40 former employees with preservation letters, believing that misappropriation of confidential information may extend beyond the individuals named in its original complaint.

The lawsuit alleges OpenAI recruited key engineers, including former Apple executives Tang Tan and Chang Liu, and benefited from proprietary designs, manufacturing processes, and other trade secrets. Apple says more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, suggesting the alleged misconduct is broader than isolated actions.

OpenAI has denied the allegations, stating in a statement to Bloomberg that it is “not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit.” The company also seeks an injunction requiring OpenAI to cease using any Apple information during the development of its AI hardware device.

Apple is seeking damages and suing Tan and Liu for breach of contract, and believes the evidence uncovered so far may represent only the “tip of the iceberg.”