Apple has escalated its legal dispute with OpenAI by requesting a preliminary injunction in its trade secrets case, aiming to block the AI company from advancing development of an AI device or other products that allegedly rely on Apple’s proprietary technology. The iPhone maker is also expanding its allegations, suggesting that additional former employees may have been involved in the theft. In its latest filing, Apple is seeking expedited discovery from the accused parties, including senior systems engineer Chang Liu, Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI and its foundation, as well as io—the device startup co-founded by Apple’s former lead designer, Jony Ive.

Apple’s ongoing investigation has reportedly uncovered 11 other former employees, beyond Liu and Tan, who may have witnessed or participated in the alleged misconduct. The filing also references others already named in the original complaint, such as OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng. This move marks a significant intensification of the legal battle, as Apple claims to have found new evidence indicating the wrongdoing extends further than initially outlined.

For instance, the filing states that another former Apple employee appears to have met with Liu and Peng before Peng’s interview at OpenAI, during which they discussed confidential Apple information related to unannounced products. Additionally, another ex-employee allegedly captured screenshots of sensitive Apple documents concerning an unreleased product ahead of an interview with OpenAI. Apple further asserts that, after the complaint was filed, multiple former employees now working at OpenAI contacted Apple about returning company-issued devices they had kept upon departure, hinting at broader involvement in the scheme.

Apple is urging the court to permit expedited discovery, arguing there is strong reason to suspect more individuals are implicated in the theft of its intellectual property. The company also notes that its motion for a preliminary injunction is still pending. In response, OpenAI has publicly dismissed Apple’s latest action, stating in a blog post that the request is “both based on false information and completely unnecessary because we do not have, nor want, any of their trade secrets.” The company added, “We’re much more interested in building innovative products and technologies that push the frontier.”

OpenAI also highlighted previous errors in Apple’s approach, which had been widely reported, including an instance where Apple mistakenly emailed the wrong person after confusing two similar surnames. The AI firm further accused Apple of misrepresenting discussions with its general counsel and failing to acknowledge that the “residual access” allowing former employees to use Apple’s systems stemmed from Apple’s own lax security measures.