Apple sues OpenAI alleging theft of proprietary hardware secrets by former employees
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that former employees misappropriated proprietary hardware secrets and confidential design processes to accelerate the startup's development.
1. Allegations of Trade Secret Theft
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging a systematic pattern of intellectual property theft by former Apple employees now working for the AI startup. The complaint, filed in July 2026, claims that OpenAI has misappropriated confidential information regarding Appleās unreleased technologies, engineering processes, and supply chain innovations. Apple asserts that this information is being used to accelerate OpenAIās hardware development, specifically targeting the company's proprietary design and manufacturing techniques.
2. Specific Accusations Against Personnel
The lawsuit names two specific individuals: Tang Tan, OpenAIās chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI from Apple in January 2026. Apple alleges that Liu accessed and downloaded dozens of confidential hardware files after his departure and instructed a colleague to use encrypted messaging to avoid detection by security teams. Tan is accused of methodically collecting Appleās confidential data, including supplier information, and soliciting proprietary details from current Apple employees during recruitment interviews. The suit further claims that OpenAI has encouraged departing Apple staff to bring prototypes and design artifacts to their new roles.
3. Legal and Industry Context
The lawsuit also names IO Products, a hardware startup founded by Jony Ive that was acquired by OpenAI in 2025. Apple claims that more than 400 former Apple employees are now employed by OpenAI and that the startup has actively targeted Appleās partner network to replicate its industrial design processes. According to the filing, Apple reached out to OpenAI in February 2026 to address these concerns, but received no response. In a statement, an OpenAI representative denied interest in other companies' trade secrets, emphasizing the organization's focus on independent innovation. Apple maintains that it is taking these steps to defend its intellectual property and the integrity of its consumer hardware business.