OpenAI is asking a U.S. judge to throw out Apple's lawsuit accusing the ChatGPT maker and two former Apple employees of stealing trade secrets, arguing it has no need for Apple's confidential technology because it is building "something entirely new."

In a motion filed Wednesday, OpenAI said it has "no use, need or desire for Apple's trade secrets" as it pushes into consumer hardware. Apple did not immediately comment on the filing.

Apple sued OpenAI in July, alleging the company improperly obtained and exploited its confidential information through former employees, recruiting efforts and supplier relationships to accelerate its ambitions in the consumer hardware market.

The case has become a high-stakes fight over the future of AI-powered devices, with industry analysts believing OpenAI is developing its own smartphone or similar hardware that could challenge Apple's dominance.

OpenAI argued Apple's complaint fails to identify any specific trade secrets, relying instead on broad descriptions of product development. It also said Apple failed to show it owns protectable trade secrets or plausibly allege that any of the defendants misappropriated them.

The company also took aim at Apple in its filing, arguing the lawsuit is an attempt to make up for its struggles to retain talent and its slower progress integrating AI into its products.

Despite the legal battle, the companies remain business partners. Apple users can access ChatGPT through Siri, and iPhone owners can subscribe to ChatGPT directly from the iOS settings menu.