Apple sues OpenAI for infringement of trade secrets.
Apple has sued OpenAI, its chief hardware officer Tang Tang, and OpenAI employee Zhang Liu, alleging that they stole intellectual property information necessary for hardware development.
Apple Sues OpenAI for Trade Secret Theft Over AI Hardware Designs - Bloomberg
Apple-OpenAI Legal Battle Highlights Tensions Over AI Hardware Talent Poaching - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-11/openai-engineer-s-lol-moment-set-stage-for-legal-fight-with-apple
Apple sues OpenAI, alleging artificial intelligence company stole trade secrets | Apple | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/10/apple-sues-openai-trade-secrets
Apple sues OpenAI alleging trade secret theft
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/10/apple-openai-lawsuit-trade-secrets.html
Apple and OpenAI partnered in 2024, making ChatGPT available through 'Apple Intelligence.' However, it has been pointed out that OpenAI is dissatisfied with the limited benefits it has received from the partnership.
OpenAI is consulting with a law firm about legal action against Apple, citing dissatisfaction with its increased subscriber base and growing brand recognition - GIGAZINE
According to Apple's claims, OpenAI, in an effort to develop its own devices, attempted to recruit Apple employees and solicited them to share information, components, drawings, and other materials related to future products.
Tang Tan, who is the Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI, was formerly Apple's Vice President of Product and also led the iPhone product design team, and is suspected of being involved in poaching Apple employees. In addition, Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI in January 2026, is suspected of taking his laptop and its contents with him when he left Apple, and of using an authentication bug to infiltrate Apple's internal network and steal dozens of hardware-related trade secret files.
OpenAI is developing its own AI device in partnership with io Products, led by Jonathan Ive, a former Apple executive who was involved in the design of the iPhone.
Furthermore, it is rumored that they are also developing a smartphone that will be a rival to the iPhone.
Regarding this matter, Drew Pusateli, a spokesperson for OpenAI, said, 'We are currently reviewing the complaint,' adding, 'OpenAI has no interest in other companies' 'trade secrets.' We will continue to focus on building groundbreaking technologies that empower people around the world.'
In addition to seeking damages, Apple is also seeking an injunction ordering OpenAI to cease using Apple's trade secrets.
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