OpenAI preparing legal action against Apple

OpenAI is preparing possible legal action against Apple over the companies’ Siri partnership, according to a May 14 report by 9to5Mac that cited Bloomberg and unnamed sources. The reported dispute centers on the deal that brought ChatGPT into Siri and other Apple software features after Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence in June 2024. No lawsuit had been filed as of Friday, and neither Apple nor OpenAI had publicly announced a court action. Apple’s current support pages still describe ChatGPT as an optional extension inside Apple Intelligence on iPhone and Mac. ### What exactly is OpenAI reportedly considering? Bloomberg, as quoted by 9to5Mac on May 14, said OpenAI lawyers were working with an outside law firm on options that could be executed soon. One option under consideration was a notice to Apple alleging breach of contract, according to the report, without necessarily filing a full lawsuit at the outset. (9to5mac.com) Cult of Mac, in a separate May 14 write-up that also pointed to Bloomberg, said the reported legal work could begin with a breach notice and that a lawsuit could come later. That account also said the relationship had deteriorated behind the scenes even though the ChatGPT feature remains available to Apple users. ### What was the Apple-OpenAI partnership supposed to do? (9to5mac.com) Apple announced on June 10, 2024 that ChatGPT would be integrated into iOS, iPadOS and macOS as part of Apple Intelligence. Apple said Siri could hand certain requests to ChatGPT, with users asked before questions, documents or photos were sent to OpenAI. Apple and OpenAI also said ChatGPT would be available in Apple’s Writing Tools, and paid ChatGPT subscribers could connect their accounts to use subscription features inside Apple’s software. (cultofmac.com) OpenAI said at the time that the partnership would bring ChatGPT to Apple users “in a new way.” Apple later expanded the rollout in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 in December 2024, saying ChatGPT support had become part of Siri and Writing Tools. Apple’s current support documentation says users can still enable ChatGPT in Apple Intelligence settings and use it without an account or by linking an existing one. (apple.com) ### What does the report say OpenAI is unhappy about? 9to5Mac’s account of the Bloomberg report said OpenAI expected the Apple tie-up to drive many more ChatGPT subscriptions than it has so far. The report said Apple does not pay OpenAI for use of the technology under the current arrangement, apart from Apple taking a cut of subscriptions sold through its systems. (openai.com) An unnamed OpenAI executive, as quoted by 9to5Mac from Bloomberg, said the company had “done everything from a product perspective” and accused Apple of not holding up its end of the deal. The same report said OpenAI had expected deeper integration across more Apple apps and more prominent placement inside Siri. Those claims are unattributed beyond unnamed sources, and neither company has publicly detailed the contract terms. (9to5mac.com) ### Is this about Apple adding other AI partners? 9to5Mac said the reported friction comes ahead of WWDC, where Apple is expected to discuss further Siri changes and broader support for outside AI models. The same report said, citing an unnamed OpenAI executive, that Apple’s move toward multiple AI models was not itself the trigger for the legal review because the original deal was not meant to be exclusive. (9to5mac.com) Apple has publicly framed its AI system as a mix of Apple-built models and outside help where needed. Its support pages already describe ChatGPT as an extension users can choose to enable, rather than as a default exclusive provider across Apple Intelligence. ### What can readers actually verify right now? Apple’s public materials verify that ChatGPT is integrated into Siri, Writing Tools and other Apple Intelligence features. (9to5mac.com) OpenAI’s June 2024 announcement also confirms the partnership and says users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, while subscribers can connect paid accounts for additional features. (apple.com) The legal dispute itself remains unconfirmed by court filings in the reporting cited here. As of May 15, the public record described by 9to5Mac and Cult of Mac amounts to reports based on Bloomberg and unnamed sources, with no filed complaint identified. Apple’s next major public venue for discussing Siri and Apple Intelligence is WWDC, where any new integration terms or partner changes would be disclosed by Apple. (9to5mac.com) (support.apple.com)