OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he is a “mega Apple fanboy” and that Apple’s trade-secrets lawsuit against OpenAI makes him “sad.” In comments reported by outlets, Altman describes his initial reaction as that the allegations sound “egregious,” while OpenAI moves to dismiss the case.
The dispute centers on claims that former employees or engineering talent are connected to alleged misuse of trade secrets and related conduct. One outlet also notes the legal backdrop in California, where non-compete agreements are generally void, affecting how companies can prevent employee moves and increasing the likelihood of litigation after hiring transitions rather than seeking preemptive restraints.
Reporting differs in emphasis: Business Insider focuses on Altman’s personal remarks about Apple, while The Next Web highlights his reaction to the allegations and OpenAI’s procedural push to have the lawsuit dismissed, along with the state-law context shaping the dispute. Despite these differences, both accounts characterize Altman’s stance as personally supportive of Apple while defending OpenAI against the lawsuit’s claims.
