Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade‑Secret Theft

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:03:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Apple files a federal suit against OpenAI, alleging employees stole trade secrets to gain an unfair edge in AI hardware.

Apple has taken legal action against OpenAI and former Apple employees, accusing them of stealing confidential product information through email, interviews and design access. The lawsuit claims that key ex‑Apple engineers, such as Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu, siphoned proprietary manufacturing techniques and unreleased product details. OpenAI denies the allegations, while Apple seeks an injunction and monetary damages. The case marks a sharp turn in the alliance between Apple and the AI giant, which had recently integrated ChatGPT into its devices. Key players, including Tim Cook, Jony Ive’s design firm, and OpenAI’s own hardware ambitions, are implicated in the dispute.

Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade‑Secret Theft

Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, two of its former employees, and the Jony Ive‑led design company io Products, claiming a pattern of theft of confidential product development information.

Apple alleges that ex‑Apple engineers, including senior electrical engineer Chang Liu and former iPhone/Apple Watch design VP Tang Yew Tan, accessed sensitive projects, proprietary manufacturing techniques and unreleased product plans. Apple says these insiders emailed internal information to their new employer and used it when recruiting Apple staff for OpenAI positions.

OpenAI’s spokesman Drew Pusateri rejected any wrongdoing, stating the company “has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and is focused solely on building innovative technology that empowers people worldwide.

Apple’s complaint notes that OpenAI’s interviewers allegedly asked prospective hires to bring Apple parts as props during interview sessions—a tactic Apple calls a method to extract further confidential data.

The lawsuit calls the parties acting in concert to exploit Apple’s confidential information to launch OpenAI’s consumer hardware business. Apple claims the misconduct roots in the company’s leadership and that its nascent hardware venture is built on illegally acquired trade secrets.

Apple seeks an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using any alleged confidential material and is suing for unspecified monetary damages. The company also says it tried to discuss concerns with OpenAI in February, but was ignored.

OpenAI is expected to unveil its first hardware product—a keyboard for use with its AI tools—this month, and plans to become a publicly traded company. Tim Cook, Apple’s outgoing CEO, had previously integrated ChatGPT into Apple devices before stepping down.

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