Apple Sues OpenAI for Allegedly Stealing Trade Secrets, Recruiting 400+ Employees

According to Bloomberg and Apple's legal filing, Apple sued OpenAI on Friday (July 10) for allegedly stealing unreleased product secrets, including detailed hardware designs and engineering blueprints. The lawsuit names OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a former Apple vice president of product design who led development of iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Apple claims OpenAI employees at all levels systematized theft of confidential information and encouraged Apple staff to leak details about unreleased products.

Apple points to evidence including employee Chang Liu, a former iPhone hardware engineer who joined OpenAI in January and allegedly downloaded dozens of confidential Apple hardware files during his initial weeks there. The lawsuit cites over 400 former Apple employees now working at OpenAI. Apple demands OpenAI destroy all proprietary data and redesign upcoming products to remove any Apple technology components. OpenAI responded that it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and remains focused on building innovative technology.