Apple lawsuit says OpenAI misused a secret metal finishing process

In short: Apple says OpenAI and its acquired hardware team improperly used Apple’s secret metal finishing process through a manufacturing partner.

What happened

Apple has filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. federal court in Northern California against OpenAI, the hardware firm io (linked to designer Jony Ive and acquired by OpenAI), and two former Apple employees, Tang Tan and Chang or Chung Liu.

One detailed allegation involves a “secret” metal finishing process Apple uses on its devices. Apple says this is a proprietary, multi step method that helps create a specific look and feel. Apple says it treats the method as a trade secret, meaning confidential business know how (like a recipe a company keeps locked up).

In the lawsuit, Apple claims OpenAI and io approached one of Apple’s trusted manufacturing partners and asked it to perform or demonstrate the same metal finishing process for OpenAI’s own hardware project. Apple also alleges OpenAI and io misled the partner into thinking Apple had given permission or a license to do this. Apple says it did not give any permission or license.

Apple is not mainly claiming that OpenAI published the exact steps of the process. Based on current reporting, the claim is focused on alleged misuse through the supplier.

Why it matters

This case could affect how quickly OpenAI can ship new consumer devices. Apple is asking the court for an early order that could force OpenAI to redesign hardware without using any Apple confidential information, which could slow or delay a launch.

Source: NYTimes