OpenAI counters Apple trade-secret lawsuit, saying the claims lack merit

OpenAI has pushed back again in its legal fight with Apple over allegations involving trade secrets, according to a report published Monday by Yahoo Finance.

In the new statement, OpenAI suggested that Apple’s claims lack merit, adding to the back-and-forth as the case moves through the courts. The report frames the latest filing as part of OpenAI’s effort to dispute the core premise of Apple’s accusations rather than narrowly contest details.

Trade-secret lawsuits typically turn on whether a plaintiff can show that specific information was protected as a trade secret, that it had value because it was not generally known, and that an accused party misappropriated it through improper means. Without more detail on the particular facts alleged, it is not possible to determine how Apple is characterizing the information at issue or what evidence OpenAI says contradicts those assertions.

For its part, Apple has not been the only technology company to pursue legal remedies related to how AI systems are developed and how sensitive know-how is handled. The broader industry context has been shaped by rapid progress in generative AI and intense competition for talent and computing resources, which has increased scrutiny of data handling, model development practices, and vendor relationships.

The court record will matter for what comes next, including whether judges address any arguments at early stages (such as motions to dismiss) or allow the case to proceed toward discovery and potential evidentiary hearings. Discovery, if it happens, can pressure both sides to clarify what information is being claimed as proprietary, how it was obtained, and how any alleged misuse occurred.

As of the time of the Yahoo Finance report, OpenAI’s response in the filing was characterized as arguing that the lawsuit’s allegations do not add up. The report does not provide enough detail to evaluate what specific arguments OpenAI made, what Apple alleged in its complaint, or what factual record exists so far.

Investors and industry watchers will likely watch for next steps that announcement how the dispute is being treated procedurally, such as whether the case advances beyond initial motions, whether either side seeks to narrow the claims, and whether the parties provide additional public disclosures that clarify the scope of the alleged trade-secret information.