Apple Lawsuit Accuses OpenAI Of Using Trade Secrets For Hardware Push
Apple alleges OpenAI used former Apple staff and confidential material to support a hardware push, while OpenAI says it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets.
Apple Complaint Names Recruiting And Prototype Allegations
Apple has turned its dispute with OpenAI into a court fight, filing a trade-secret lawsuit that accuses the ChatGPT maker of using former staff and confidential material to accelerate a consumer-hardware push.
The complaint alleges that the conduct was directed by OpenAI senior leadership, including Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan; TechCrunch reported that Tan previously spent 24 years at Apple and most recently worked as vice-president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
In Northern California federal court, the iPhone maker says Tan used confidential project code names during OpenAI recruiting, asked candidates to bring Apple hardware components to interviews, coached departing Apple employees on security procedures and sought information about unannounced products.
Those claims remain allegations in a newly filed civil case, not findings by a court.
The filing also names Chang Liu, described in the complaint as a former senior systems electrical engineer who spent eight years at Apple before leaving for OpenAI in 2026.
The complaint alleges that Liu failed to return a company-issued laptop and used the computer to download confidential technical documents covering unannounced technologies, engineering presentations and proprietary project data.
OpenAI Hardware Push Brings Jony Ive Deal Into The Case
The lawsuit lands as OpenAI is working on hardware ambitions beyond its software and model business.
TechCrunch reported that the company acquired Jony Ive's device startup io last year in a $6.5 billion deal intended to support those plans.
The filing names io, while Jony Ive was not named in the case.
The filing says Apple sent OpenAI a letter in February raising concerns and received no response.
The requested court order would prevent the ChatGPT maker from using or sharing Apple trade secrets, require the return of confidential materials and preserve evidence tied to the case.
OpenAI Denies Interest In Trade Secrets
Apple's public statement says significant evidence suggests people employed by OpenAI wrongfully took secret and confidential information about unreleased technologies, processes and products.
The company said it would defend its teams' work and intellectual property.
OpenAI responded after publication by pointing to a public statement on X, saying it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and remains focused on building technology for users.
The filing alleges a pattern involving recruiting, device components, internal documents and partner work.
The court has not ruled on the allegations.
Hardware product specifications, a launch date and discovery evidence showing how much Apple confidential material, if any, reached OpenAI's hardware work remain outside the public record.
