Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI company of orchestrating a campaign to obtain confidential Apple trade secrets to speed up the development of its own hardware products. The legal complaint alleges that former Apple employees who later joined OpenAI improperly accessed and retained sensitive company information related to unreleased technologies, engineering processes, and future products.
According to the lawsuit, Apple discovered evidence suggesting that confidential files were taken after employees left the company. One of the defendants, former Apple Senior System Electrical Engineer Chang Liu, allegedly kept access to his Apple-issued laptop after his departure and exploited an authentication flaw to enter Apple’s internal network. Apple claims Liu downloaded confidential hardware documents and later advised another former colleague on what information to study before interviewing with OpenAI.
Apple also accuses Tang Yew Tan, the company’s former Vice President of Product Design for the iPhone and Apple Watch and now OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, of using insider knowledge to recruit Apple engineers. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI encouraged candidates to bring prototypes, CAD files, design documents, and technical information to interviews, including details about system integration, component selection, engineering tools, and supplier relationships.
The complaint further claims OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to avoid attracting attention during their transition and describes the alleged conduct as an organized effort rather than isolated employee misconduct. Apple also alleges that OpenAI approached one of its manufacturing partners and requested the use of a confidential metal-finishing process while falsely implying it had Apple’s authorization.
Apple is seeking legal action to protect its intellectual property and prevent any further use of its alleged trade secrets. OpenAI has not publicly responded to the allegations, and the claims remain unproven as the case moves through the courts.