DaVoice Sues Perplexity AI Over Trade Secret Misappropriation

AI startup DaVoice filed a lawsuit against Perplexity AI in California federal court on Thursday, alleging the misappropriation of trade secrets. The complaint claims Perplexity improperly used confidential technical information shared during a previous collaboration on wake word technology, which allows AI assistants to activate upon hearing specific phrases.

DaVoice asserts that the misappropriated data includes proprietary source code, inference logic, network architecture, and training data. The startup argues these assets were used without authorization to develop Perplexity's own systems.

Perplexity AI rejected the allegations on Friday, describing the lawsuit as a baseless attempt to claim ownership of standard technology. A company spokesperson stated that the existing agreement between the two firms explicitly allows Perplexity to develop products that are similar or competitive to those offered by DaVoice. The case now proceeds through federal court to determine if Perplexity violated the terms of the collaboration.