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3. august 2026

Selskap

Apple tar feil her

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Apple er et av tidenes fremste selskaper og har opparbeidet seg et rykte for å være svært opptatt av selv de minste detaljene. Dette skjødesløse, aggressive og underlig personlige søksmålet lever dessverre ikke opp til det ryktet.

Apple hevdet at de kontaktet OpenAI i februar, og at vi ikke svarte. Nå innrømmer de at de eksterne advokatene deres sendte e-post til feil person etter å ha forvekslet to asiatiske etternavn – og det først etter at vi gjorde dem oppmerksomme på dette. Apple hevdet også at de hadde hatt en samtale med vår juridiske direktør, men erkjenner nå at denne samtalen aldri fant sted. Men nok en gang skjuler de at de konkrete anklagene i dette søksmålet aldri ble tatt opp på det tidspunktet, og at de faktisk fortalte oss at de «var i ferd med å løse eventuelle problemer». Deretter hørte vi ingenting på fem måneder, før de saksøkte oss. I sitt siste prosesskriv gjør Apple sitt beste for å gi hendelsesforløpet en annen fremstilling, men du kan selv lese e-postene her.

Apple anklager Chang Liu for å ha fått tilgang til Apples konfidensielle informasjon etter at han sluttet i selskapet, men innrømmer først nå at Apple-ansatte kontaktet ham og ba ham om hjelp til å finne denne informasjonen (du kan lese meldingene her). Apple forsøker nå å skyve skylden over på «gjenværende tilgang», men unnlater også å opplyse om at dette er et vanlig problem hos Apple, som skyldes at de ikke håndterer systemtilgang på riktig måte når ansatte slutter. I praksis betyr det at tidligere ansatte som prøver å gjøre det rette når de slutter, fortsatt har tilgang til Apple-filer – selv om de verken ønsker tilgangen eller er klar over at de har den.

Apple anklager også Tang Tan for å ha forsøkt å få tak i og bruke forretningshemmelighetene deres. Tang har imidlertid alltid gjort det klart overfor teamet at vi ikke ønsker og ikke skal bruke konfidensiell informasjon fra andre selskaper. Tang jobbet for Apple i mer enn 24 år og var allment kjent som en av selskapets mest nyskapende ledere.

Vi skulle ønske Apple hadde tatt opp disse spørsmålene med oss før de gikk til søksmål, og vi ville gjerne ha oppklart alt dette med dem. Vi har tatt anklagene i søksmålet på alvor og tilbudt oss å samarbeide med Apple for å løse saken. I stedet prøver de å endre fortellingen sin, blant annet ved å komme med vage anklager mot andre tidligere ansatte, og de vil sannsynligvis fortsette med denne taktikken.

Apples begjæring om midlertidig forføyning bygger både på uriktige opplysninger og er helt unødvendig, fordi vi verken har eller ønsker noen av forretningshemmelighetene deres. Vi er langt mer interessert i å utvikle nyskapende produkter og teknologier som flytter grensene for hva som er mulig.

Oppdatering 6. august 2026: Du kan lese begjæringen vår om avvisning her(åpnes i et nytt vindu).

Oppdatering 1. september 2026: Du kan lese tilsvaret vårt til Apples begjæring om midlertidig forføyning her(åpnes i et nytt vindu).

Oppdatering 14. september 2026: Du finner svaret vårt på Apples supplerende prosesskriv her(åpnes i et nytt vindu).

Meldinger

iMessage-meldinger mellom Chang Liu (i blått) og Apple-ansatte, der Chang – som hadde sin siste arbeidsdag hos Apple 22. januar 2026 – blir bedt av sine tidligere kolleger om å hjelpe dem med å finne filer og informasjon de trenger i arbeidet sitt for Apple (alle klokkeslett er oppgitt i UTC). Merk: Navnene på andre personer og konfidensiell informasjon fra Apple er sladdet.

1/22/2026 4:43:19 PM
Hey [Apple Employee #1], i had something we need to discuss when you get to office.
1/22/2026 4:43:41 PM
OK. I can talk on the phone now if you like.
1/22/2026 5:48:02 PM
I am here at the office.
1/22/2026 9:39:14 PM
Around your desk
1/22/2026 9:39:34 PM
Be there in 4.
1/22/2026 9:44:34 PM
Do you wanna meet me at the coffee machine?
1/22/2026 11:25:45 PM
I found a 64GB drive. Do you think that will work>
1/22/2026 11:26:59 PM
I think 200 ish. We start from 64. Better than nothing
1/23/2026 12:41:56 AM
Still copying
1/23/2026 5:13:02 PM
Good morning. I hope you slept well. Maybe you are still sleeping 😊 I’m back in the office and restarting the airdrop as it didn’t work. My plan is to complete the airdrop and then click the sad button in workday.
1/23/2026 5:38:25 PM
Liked “Good morning. I hope you slept well. Maybe you are still sleeping 😊 I’m back in the office and restarting the airdrop as it didn’t work. My plan is to complete the airdrop and then click the sad button in workday.”
1/23/2026 5:39:51 PM
Thanks a lot [Apple Employee #1]. Was a very hard night last night. I really appreciate all the help and work together with you.
1/23/2026 5:41:09 PM
If you have time you can also try to airdrop all other file in my apple iCloud folder.
1/23/2026 5:42:22 PM
Those are mainly shared files from other people. I found important detail notes from time to time.
1/23/2026 5:42:59 PM
All the file folders [Redacted - Apple Information] are the file I generated as my personal note.
1/23/2026 7:32:19 PM
Your file transfer is a challenge.
1/23/2026 7:33:24 PM
Carlos Org Travel Summary Chang joined the spreadsheet. I think I’m going to have to hit the workday button before I’m complete. I just got a weird message that is making me nervous (see below), so I am going to go hit the workday button now.
1/23/2026 7:34:53 PM
I don’t even think I have that file
1/23/2026 7:35:03 PM
Maybe the new Chang
1/23/2026 7:35:20 PM
Yeah. . . it could be. No need for you to worry. 😊
1/23/2026 7:35:37 PM
That new Chang has big shoes to fill.
1/23/2026 7:36:18 PM
😟 for the transfer. I think the archive and [Redacted - Apple Information] has most of file for you to dig. Otherwise team can always start from something brand new
1/27/2026 1:45:26 AM
Hey [Apple Employee #1] hope everything is fine for copy pasting. You can keep my icloud connected if you still need more time. But might want to sign off my iMessage. As there might be my new company stuff showing up in that laptop.
1/27/2026 3:06:56 AM
Oh shoot. Sorry. Let me finish up tomorrow and log everything out. I won’t look at anything else.
1/27/2026 3:08:26 AM
Hey [Apple Employee #1], that’s totally ok. I am fine with you keep my icloud signed in for files. Just imessages might get you in trouble.
1/27/2026 4:35:30 AM
Do you recall any discussions on shipping [Redacted - Apple Information]? I thought the plan was to go for [Redacted - Apple Information] because [Redacted - Apple Information] is still not proven, but I don’t remember specific details. Of course, I could ask several folks, but you are the best. Even if you don’t work here anymore 😟
1/27/2026 4:35:46 AM
. . . of course [Redacted - Apple Information] is the plan for [Redacted - Apple Information]
1/27/2026 4:39:27 AM
Hahahah no prob
1/27/2026 4:39:47 AM
The decision is for all the product shipped in [Redacted - Apple Information] from a schedule standpoint.
1/27/2026 4:39:59 AM
Hence [Redacted - Apple Information]. And [Redacted - Apple Information] for [Redacted - Apple Information]
1/27/2026 4:40:30 AM
[Redacted - Apple Information] make a [Redacted - Apple Information] because of that [Redacted - Apple Information] ramp time.
1/27/2026 4:41:06 AM
[Redacted - Apple Information] (es in March) will [Redacted - Apple Information] prototype build but too late for [Redacted - Apple Information].
1/27/2026 4:42:29 AM
Awesome: I was thinking [Redacted - Apple Information] for [Redacted - Apple Information] and [Redacted - Apple Information] for [Redacted - Apple Information]. But since [Redacted - Apple Information] was pushed back then it should get [Redacted - Apple Information] also.
1/27/2026 4:42:41 AM
I think we are aligned 😊
1/27/2026 4:46:06 AM
Actually yes also [Redacted - Apple Information]
1/27/2026 4:46:27 AM
Sorry I missed that. [Apple Employee #8 name] from Austin team is already working on that
1/27/2026 4:47:07 AM
Liked “Actually yes also [Redacted - Apple Information]”
1/27/2026 4:47:10 AM
Liked “Sorry I missed that. [Apple Employee #8 name] from Austin team is already working on that ”
1/30/2026 5:54:31 PM
Hey [Apple Employee #1]! Hope you got all the material you need. Otherwise you might need to reach out to IST for some backup if they ever has
1/30/2026 5:54:41 PM
I rrealize the folder is gone from my iCloud
1/31/2026 1:34:07 AM
I just signed out of your iCloud account. When it asked me if I wanted to keep a copy of your stuff, I said NO.
1/31/2026 2:28:08 AM
Loved “I just signed out of your iCloud account. When it asked me if I wanted to keep a copy of your stuff, I said NO.”
1/31/2026 2:28:18 AM
Thank you sir!
1/31/2026 2:29:23 AM
This startup style company is a funny and will be very hard in a couple months😁😁
2/14/2026 1:38:13 AM
How is it going over there? Did they let you off work early on a Friday so you can go bowling and drink beer?
2/14/2026 1:38:25 AM
. . . . or are they going to work you until 10pm?
2/14/2026 1:39:47 AM
Just in case you don’t have enough work, I need some help. I have a vague recollection of you talking about a [Redacted - Apple Information]. Can you give me a brief refresh of this and point me to an EE who may have some knowledge?
2/14/2026 1:41:25 AM
大笑「Just in case you don’t have enough work, I need some help. I have a vague recollection of you talking about a [Redacted - Apple Information]. Can you give me a brief refresh of this and point me to an EE who may have some knowledge?」
2/14/2026 1:41:51 AM
This place is crazy… hahahah we use Ai all over the place
2/14/2026 1:42:21 AM
I can always give you some fun side projects
2/14/2026 1:44:17 AM
I think what you referred to is [Redacted - Apple Information]. And the small [Redacted - Apple Information].
2/14/2026 1:44:41 AM
The problem is the people is also in my court now 😁😁
2/14/2026 1:45:00 AM
Plus if [Apple Employee #9] might still remember anything
2/14/2026 1:47:39 AM
Liked “I can always give you some fun side projects”
2/14/2026 1:52:30 AM
[Redacted - Apple schematic] Bummer. . . you should have filed a [Redacted - Apple Information] with the details and put that next to the [Redacted - Apple Information] on the schematic. Now you owe me a beer.
2/14/2026 1:53:43 AM
oops now it can only become a [Redacted - Apple Information] saying now we never know why 😁😁
2/14/2026 3:12:57 AM
Now when I think about it. The other smart people also just left that team. The one that might still in apple is [Apple Employee #10]
2/14/2026 3:13:12 AM
Or if you have a more specific question
3/5/2026 9:23:11 PM
chang: if I understood correctly, you said that the [REDACTED - Apple Information] powers a downstream [REDACTED - Apple Information] that then powers [REDACTED - Apple Information]. Is that right? Who should I contact about that [REDACTED - Apple Information]?
3/5/2026 9:35:19 PM
A few things you can look for. In our team box folder/[REDACTED - Apple Information]/. There should be a [REDACTED - Apple Information]. And there is a power block diagram to show the [REDACTED - Apple Information]. Or find [Apple Employee #5] to get the [REDACTED - Apple Information]. Contact is [Apple Employee #6]and [Apple Employee #7]. [REDACTED - Apple Information] need more sensitive for [REDACTED - Apple Information] than current design. Hence they need to rise [REDACTED - Apple Information]
3/5/2026 9:35:59 PM
Hi [Apple Employee #1 Name], [Apple Employee #3 Name], I can help get the conversation with [Apple Employee #6] and [Apple Employee #7] started
3/5/2026 9:37:28 PM
Hi, this is highly irregular, please remove me from this thread
3/5/2026 9:44:21 PM
Thanks Chang. [Apple Employee #2 Name] and [Apple Employee #3 Name] I put you on this thread for awareness. Let’s continue our discussion internally.
3/5/2026 9:50:48 PM
Liked “Thanks Chang. [Apple Employee #2 Name] and [Apple Employee #3 Name] I put you on this thread for awareness. Let’s continue our discussion internally.”

E-postkorrespondanse

E-postene nedenfor er mellom Apples eksterne advokat Gabriel Gross, OpenAIs juridiske direktør Che Chang og Apples interne juridiske rådgivere. De viser at Gross sendte e-post til Che ved en feil og uriktig hevdet at de to hadde snakket sammen. Både Gross og Apples interne juridiske rådgivere bekreftet senere at dette var en feil, og Gross bemerket at de «var i ferd med å løse eventuelle problemer». De konkrete påstandene i Apples søksmål ble aldri tatt opp, og det kom ingen videre oppfølging før søksmålet ble anlagt fem måneder senere.

From: Gabriel Gross
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026 5:53 PM
Subject: Former Apple Employees at OpenAI Retaining Non-public, Confidential, and Proprietary Information
To: <redacted> <redacted>

Dear Mr. Chang:

Please see the attached letter and let me know when you are free to discuss it.

Yours,

Gabriel Gross Partner Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP <redacted> <redacted> <redacted> Direct <redacted> Mobile

The information contained in this email message is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by email, <redacted> and destroy the original message. Thank you.

Attachments:

  • image001.jpg (6K)
  • 2026.02.23 G. Gross letter to <redacted> Wang(101156327.1).pdf (225K)
  • Ex. A.pdf (491K)
  • Ex. B.pdf (91K)
  • Ex. C.pdf (1646K)
From: Gabriel Gross <redacted>
Date: Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Subject: RE: Former Apple Employees at OpenAI Retaining Non-public, Confidential, and Proprietary Information
To: <redacted> <redacted>

Dear Mr. Chang:

Thank you for your phone call just now and for offering your cooperation so quickly. I will be back in touch after speaking with Apple. I realize I neglected to include the three attachments when I sent you my letter, so I am re-sending it with the attachments for your records.

Yours,

Gabe

From: Che Chang <redacted>
Date: Feb 23, 2026, at 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: Former Apple Employees at OpenAI Retaining Non-public, Confidential, and Proprietary Information
To: <redacted>

Hi [Apple in-house legal counsel] and [Apple in-house legal counsel],

This guy from Weil claims to be representing you. For some reason, he is lying about speaking with me on the phone. I don't know who he is and we have never spoken.

I don't know what the point of his lie is, but could you please confirm if he is actually representing you, and if so, whether you have other counsel you can use. I don’t think interacting through him is appropriate given this behavior.

If this isn’t the right Apple team, could you let me know who might be? Thank you.

Che

From: Gabriel Gross <redacted>
Date: Tue, Feb 24, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Subject: RE: Former Apple Employees at OpenAI Retaining Non-public, Confidential, and Proprietary Information
To: <redacted> <redacted>

Dear Mr. Chang:

I write to follow up on my email and letter from yesterday. After I emailed you around 5:53 p.m. yesterday, I inadvertently also sent you another email around 6:07 p.m. that was intended for <redacted> Wang, one of the former Apple employees at issue. After we had emailed Mr. Wang yesterday about retaining Apple information, he promptly called me and offered to cooperate with Apple in resolving any issues. I then intended to email him again, but accidentally replied to my email chain with you instead. I apologize for the confusion that likely caused.

Yours,

Gabriel Gross Partner Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP <redacted> <redacted> <redacted> Direct <redacted> Mobile

Gabe

From: [Apple in-house legal counsel] <redacted>
Date: Wed, Feb 25, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Subject: Re: Former Apple Employees at OpenAI Retaining Non-public, Confidential, and Proprietary Information
To: Che Chang <redacted>; Cc: <redacted> <redacted>, <redacted> <redacted>, <redacted> <redacted>

Hi Che,

Wanted to make sure to get back to you. Weil is our counsel on this matter, and I believe they should have contacted you explaining the miscommunication. Please feel free to direct any additional questions their way.

Thanks,

[Apple in-house legal counsel]

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