Apple filed suit in July in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging OpenAI systematically obtained confidential information through those former employees, targeted recruiting practices, and supplier relationships. Apple separately sought a preliminary injunction this week that would bar OpenAI and the two individuals from accessing, acquiring, using, or disclosing the alleged trade secrets during litigation. OpenAI has publicly denied possessing or seeking Apple's confidential information.
Attorneys should monitor the October 1 preliminary-injunction hearing, where the court will decide whether to restrict OpenAI's access to disputed information before the underlying case proceeds. If Apple succeeds in obtaining the injunction, it could materially constrain OpenAI's hardware development timeline and strategy. OpenAI's dismissal motion, if granted, would eliminate the case before reaching that hearing—making the motion outcome a critical near-term development for both parties' litigation posture.