Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the artificial intelligence company stole its trade secrets. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, claims that OpenAI encouraged Apple employees it was recruiting to share confidential information and provided guidance on how to avoid scrutiny when transitioning to OpenAI.
Two former Apple employees, Tang Tan and Chang Liu, are specifically named as defendants in the lawsuit. Tang Tan, who previously helped design the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPod, is now OpenAI's chief hardware officer. Chang Liu, a former electrical engineer, is accused of retaining an Apple-issued laptop after leaving and using it to download confidential technical documents.
Apple alleges that this behavior is part of a broader pattern of theft orchestrated by OpenAI's senior leadership, including Tang Tan. The lawsuit claims Tan used Apple's confidential project code names during recruitment, asked job candidates to bring Apple hardware components to interviews, coached departing Apple employees on evading security procedures, and sought details about Apple's unannounced products. Apple also claims OpenAI used proprietary Apple metal finishing techniques after misleading a partner into believing it had Apple's permission to do so.
The lawsuit seeks to bar OpenAI from using or disclosing Apple's trade secrets and requests the return of any confidential Apple materials. This legal action comes as OpenAI is rumored to be developing its own hardware products, potentially including a smartphone that could directly compete with Apple's iPhone, creating a significant threat to Apple's core hardware business.
