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Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

ft.com

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Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#81

Apple must have hard evidence on this. I can’t believe they would take it this far without already knowing they are going to win. If they have to fire a huge chunk of their hardware employees it’s going to throw their IPO plans into chaos.

You’re underestimating how much Apple Legal goes after anyone and everyone they feel a slight wrong sniff about. I know some insane stories that will never be publicly disclosed for one reason or another, and…it’s not a legal team I’d ever want to cross paths with. It’s also not the first time Apple has cried wolf at employees leaving the company to do bigger and better things, while trying to take responsibility for…

Oh, in that case, I just happen to have some insane stories that will never be publicly disclosed, and every one of my stories rebuts every one of your stories.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#82
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ha ha. Worked at Apple for over two decades—would not have stayed at a company I thought was evil for that long. A bully at times? I wouldn't argue with that.

What about the kids they intentionally get driven to suicide by keeping the blue bubbles for no other reason than child indoctrination due to bullying from other kids.

Sounds like a societal and parenting problem that Apple has nothing to do with.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re underestimating how much Apple Legal goes after anyone and everyone they feel a slight wrong sniff about. I know some insane stories that will never be publicly disclosed for one reason or another, and…it’s not a legal team I’d ever want to cross paths with. It’s also not the first time Apple has cried wolf at employees leaving the company to do bigger and better things, while trying to take responsibility for…

Then share some of those insane stories with sources I guess. Because this seems to directly contradict my understanding of Apple (post-Jobs in particular). I do not love Apple, as I said another comment I am so far from an apple fanboy, but frivolous lawsuits against other companies is not really typical for them. Also, these accusations are far from frivolous and they either have proof or they don’t. It would be ve…

I worked at Apple for a few decades. My comment was not meant to be cryptic as much as it was to say: their legal team is very very hands on.

As you could imagine, I’m not sharing any specific information.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what case is apple a monopoly?

Some people think that being the exclusive supplier of iOS based devices is a “monopoly”.

McDonald's is the exclusive supplier of Big Macs and McNuggets. They're a monopoly.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You’re underestimating how much Apple Legal goes after anyone and everyone they feel a slight wrong sniff about. I know some insane stories that will never be publicly disclosed for one reason or another, and…it’s not a legal team I’d ever want to cross paths with. It’s also not the first time Apple has cried wolf at employees leaving the company to do bigger and better things, while trying to take responsibility for…

Oh, in that case, I just happen to have some insane stories that will never be publicly disclosed, and every one of my stories rebuts every one of your stories.

I can only wonder what percentage of human conceptual abilities are expended on rebuttal.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#87

FT frames this as some aggressive escalation tactic, but document retention letters are extremely standard practice. At this point they're basically a formality, as any former Apple employee at OpenAI really ought to know by now that they could get dragged into this. Hold letters can be aggressive if you send them before you've even filed a complaint, but if anything, Apple is late to the party with these.

I'm not a lawyer, but I would also guess they need to "flip" these folks against OpenAI and get them to cooperate in the lawsuit against the actual folks with big pockets. I think they're essentially alleging a conspiracy by OpenAI and they need as many examples as possible to make the case that this was a pattern and standard practice, not just one or two idiots acting on their own.

So if I'm a former Apple employee and I get one of these scary letters, I'm asking my attorney if I could get out of a lawsuit by sharing any information I have about any potential OpenAI shady practices.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#88
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about the kids they intentionally get driven to suicide by keeping the blue bubbles for no other reason than child indoctrination due to bullying from other kids.

Sounds like a societal and parenting problem that Apple has nothing to do with.

My first reaction was that it was ridiculous, or at least hysterically framed. But the claim is that the whole point of the bubble colour thing, from Apple's perspective, is to take advantage of status games among (largely) kids. If that's true, then it's probably fair to hold Apple partially responsible for the predictable negative consequences. I'd be surprised if something so silly was actually decisive in the worst cases, but I guess if this is playing out among millions of kids, it may be having outsized effects occasionally.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#89
post #67
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Filing lawsuits against ex-employees is going pretty far. Not good PR for Apple if their claims are wrong. Companies often file frivolous lawsuits against other companies. It’s much rarer to throw frivolous lawsuits at individuals.

Just to be clear, these are letters to individuals about the existing lawsuit with OpenAI, not new lawsuits against individuals.

> these are letters to individuals about the existing lawsuit with OpenAI, not new lawsuits against individuals

My guess is these employees weren’t chosen randomly. If they refuse to coöperate with Apple, they’ll get personally sued as well.

And the reality of the matter is, given Altman’s public persona and reputation, there is a good chance an AG somewhere starts looking at whether these folks broke any laws.

Re: Apple targets dozens of OpenAI employees with legal letters

#90
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ha ha. Worked at Apple for over two decades—would not have stayed at a company I thought was evil for that long. A bully at times? I wouldn't argue with that.

What about the kids they intentionally get driven to suicide by keeping the blue bubbles for no other reason than child indoctrination due to bullying from other kids.

You ok bro?
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