OpenAI adds new claims in Apple trade‑secret case

On Oct. 14, 2026, OpenAI submitted a supplemental filing in its ongoing U.S. federal trade‑secrets litigation with Apple (AAPL). The supplement was entered on the public docket as part of the parties’ pretrial submissions. It adds new allegations focused on the conduct of a former OpenAI employee who later returned to work at Apple.

In the filing, OpenAI alleges that this ex‑employee transferred more than 100 confidential files related to at least one unreleased OpenAI device to personal accounts. The company further claims that the individual later briefed senior Apple leadership about the work reflected in those materials.

The confidential files at issue are described as relating to at least one unreleased OpenAI device, though the filing does not publicly detail the device’s specifications. OpenAI characterizes the materials as sensitive and contends they should not have been moved outside company systems.

OpenAI links the alleged file transfers to subsequent internal discussions at Apple. The filing asserts that after leaving OpenAI and rejoining Apple, the former employee provided briefings to senior Apple leaders about the work tied to those confidential files.

Apple has responded publicly to the Oct. 14 supplement by stating that it conducted a review of the issues raised. The company says that review found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s new allegations.

At the same time, Apple reiterated its broader expectation that employees must not use confidential information from previous employers. The company’s statements reject the specific claims while affirming general policies on handling prior employers’ trade secrets.

Within the Oct. 14 supplement, OpenAI also asked the court to address the new allegations through case management. It requested time at the case‑management conference to consider an approach that would allow investigation of the alleged conduct.

OpenAI indicated it may pursue counterclaims if its investigation justifies doing so. Any such steps would occur within the framework of the existing federal trade‑secrets case, which remains in active pretrial proceedings.

The underlying dispute between Apple and OpenAI has not yet been resolved by the court. The Oct. 14 filing marks an escalation in the litigation, expanding the scope of contested issues while the parties continue to navigate discovery and scheduling.