The request was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Apple is seeking an order preventing OpenAI, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, and former Apple executive Tang Tan from accessing, using, acquiring, or disclosing what it says is proprietary company information during the litigation.
The technology giant is also asking the court to allow expedited discovery, including the production of documents and sworn testimony, to determine whether its confidential information has been misused.
Apple filed the lawsuit last month, accusing Liu and Tan of taking confidential company information before joining OpenAI.
The company alleges that the information relates to its hardware technologies and could be used to accelerate the development of competing artificial intelligence devices.
According to the court filing, Apple believes that without immediate intervention, it faces the risk of irreparable harm because the alleged trade secrets could be used to strengthen a competitor in the fast-growing AI hardware market.
OpenAI has denied Apple’s allegations, saying it neither possesses nor has any interest in Apple’s confidential information.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the company described Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction as unnecessary and said the lawsuit is based on incorrect claims.
OpenAI added that it has strict internal policies prohibiting employees from bringing or using confidential information belonging to former employers.
The company also published emails and text messages that it says support its position and demonstrate that it has acted appropriately throughout the hiring process.
The legal dispute comes as major technology companies race to develop AI-powered consumer devices, a market expected to become increasingly competitive in the coming years.
Apple argues that safeguarding its trade secrets is essential to protecting its innovation and maintaining a competitive advantage, while OpenAI maintains that it has not used or obtained any confidential Apple information.
The court has not yet ruled on Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction, and the broader trade secrets lawsuit remains pending.
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