Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, two former Apple employees, and the design studio io Products, alleging the AI company has leveraged confidential Apple information gained through hires.
The complaint accuses the defendants of a “pattern of theft” of Apple product‑development secrets, citing internal emails that included proprietary data transferred to the new employer.
OpenAI’s spokesman Drew Pusateri denied involvement in any trade‑secret theft, asserting that the company is “focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere.”
An Apple spokesperson said the lawsuit is grounded in significant evidence and represents a major shift in the relationship between the two tech giants.
Apple had previously integrated ChatGPT into its devices before moving many AI features to Google’s Gemini model. The lawsuit comes after Apple’s CEO Tim Cook stepped down, an event the OpenAI co‑founder praised as “legendary.”
Apple alleges that former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, now senior staff at OpenAI, used their access to sensitive projects and manufacturing techniques to aid OpenAI’s push into consumer hardware.
Apple also claims OpenAI recruited current Apple employees, coaxing prospective hires to bring “actual parts” from Apple to showcase during interviews.
The lawsuit contends all parties acted in concert to exploit Apple’s confidential information to launch OpenAI’s hardware products, including a keyboard and a pending public listing.
Apple says it tried to discuss the concerns with OpenAI in February but was ignored. The company requests immediate court orders to prevent usage of alleged confidential information and seeks unspecified monetary damages.
