Last week, Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that its former employees stole trade secrets “for the benefit of OpenAI.” As part of that process, Apple has reportedly sent letters directly to dozens of its former employees now working at the company.
According to the Financial Times, Apple has sent legal preservation letters to around 40 former workers.
A preservation letter is a formal written notice sent to a person or organization instructing them to retain documents, records, and other evidence that may be relevant to a legal dispute. These letters typically spell out in detail what must be preserved.
Apple’s move comes as the company suspects the trade secret theft may extend beyond those named in its initial filing. That lawsuit names OpenAI and io Products as defendants, alongside former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan.
Background
- Apple sues OpenAI, accuses ex-employees of stealing trade secrets
- An email mistake derailed pre-lawsuit talks between Apple and OpenAI
- Apple lawsuit reveals how many of its former employees now work at OpenAI
- OpenAI says it has seen no evidence supporting Apple’s trade secret theft claims
- OpenAI hardware timeline unchanged after Apple lawsuit
A full copy of Apple’s initial filing is available here.
