Why has Apple sent preservation letters to OpenAI employees? All we know about trade-secret lawsuit

Apple sent preservation letters to about 40 former employees now at OpenAI, instructing them to retain documents related to their tenure at Apple and subsequent departure.

The letters follow Apple's trade-secret lawsuit against OpenAI, io Products, and former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Tang Tan for allegedly stealing confidential hardware plans.

Apple's complaint states more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, and the letters create a legal-hold obligation on hardware work at OpenAI.

The move underscores Apple's assertive legal strategy as OpenAI collaborates with Apple's former chief designer to create its own devices.

OpenAI denies the accusations, saying it has no interest in other firms' trade secrets and is unaware of evidence supporting the complaint.