# Apple sends legal notices to dozens of OpenAI employees amid trade secrets lawsuit 40 former employees instructed to preserve documents in commercial secrets case. - **Source:** [INCRYPTED](https://brifing.si/source/7cd4625d-3f08-4cc1-983d-4c7d991839ba) - **Published:** 2026-07-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f78a9798-239a-426d-8ffa-cb531e3a776d ## Legal dispute escalates Apple is expanding its lawsuit alleging trade secret violations by former employees who joined OpenAI. According to Financial Times, the company sent legal notices to about 40 ex-employees instructing them to preserve documents. This move signals an expansion of evidence gathering in the case. ## Employee mobility under scrutiny Approximately 10% of 400 former Apple employees now at OpenAI received notices. The focus is particularly on those who transitioned from Apple's AI hardware team. This talent war exemplifies crucial issues around protecting trade secrets in the tech industry. ## Competition shifts to hardware The disputed technologies center on AI hardware development. OpenAI's $6.4 billion acquisition of design studio io and recruitment of Apple's ex-chief designer Jony Ive strengthened its hardware ambitions. The first OpenAI device is planned for 2026 release. ## Pre-IPO risks for OpenAI The lawsuit creates additional legal risks for OpenAI ahead of its anticipated IPO. Apple's aggressive legal moves may raise investor concerns about the company's trade secret management and compliance, particularly regarding data privacy and ethical use. ## From partners to competitors Despite Apple using OpenAI technologies in Siri, relations have soured. Apple's June announcement of using Google models for its new voice assistant marked a strategic shift. This reflects the volatile alliance landscape in AI development. ## Potential industry precedent The case could set important precedents for talent mobility and trade secret protection among tech giants. The risks posed by employee movement in strategic areas like AI may force companies to reevaluate hiring and information security policies. ## Sources covering this story - https://incrypted.com/apple-nachala-otpravljat-jurydycheskye-trebovanyja/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._