Apple Sues OpenAI for Trade Secret Theft Over Hardware Designs
The lawsuit pits two former partners-Apple and OpenAI-against each other in a legal battle over hardware talent and intellectual property, as OpenAI develops its own AI devices.
Reporting from 1 source: GIGAZINE.
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, its hardware head Tang Tan, and employee Chang Liu, alleging theft of trade secrets related to hardware development. The suit claims OpenAI poached Apple employees and stole confidential files. Apple seeks damages and an order to stop OpenAI from using the secrets.
Apple filed the suit on July 10, 2026, in what Bloomberg called a blockbuster case. The complaint names Tang Tan, OpenAI's head of hardware and a former Apple vice president of product design who led iPhone design, and Chang Liu, an OpenAI employee who moved from Apple in January 2026. Apple alleges Liu did not return his laptop when leaving, used an authentication bug to infiltrate Apple's internal network, and stole dozens of hardware-related trade secret files. OpenAI is developing its own AI device with io Products, led by former Apple executive Jony Ive, and a prototype is reportedly complete. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the company is reviewing the complaint and has no interest in other companies' trade secrets.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- GIGAZINE AppleがOpenAIを企業秘密侵害で提訴