Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets to develop hardware for ChatGPT. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, alleges that OpenAI engaged in a “coordinated pattern of misconduct at an institutional level” by stealing Apple’s trade secrets. According to Apple, the theft was carried out by former employees who now work at OpenAI, including Tang Tan, who played a key role in designing Apple products like the iPhone and Apple Watch, and Chang Liu, a former Apple electrical engineer.
OpenAI responded by stating that they are reviewing the allegations and emphasized their focus on developing innovative technology rather than obtaining trade secrets from other companies. Although OpenAI has not disclosed details about the specific device they are building, they have described it as a new way to interact with AI beyond traditional products.
Apple’s investigation revealed that both Tan and Liu accessed and downloaded Apple’s confidential information while working at OpenAI. The lawsuit claims that Liu retained confidential hardware-related files on an Apple device after leaving the company and that Tan instructed job candidates to bring Apple parts to their interviews at OpenAI. Apple notified OpenAI of its concerns during the investigation, but OpenAI did not respond.
The partnership between Apple and OpenAI, initially aimed at integrating ChatGPT into Apple products, has evolved into a competitive relationship. OpenAI’s recruitment of former Apple designer Jony Ive to lead a project developing an AI-powered device has raised tensions between the two companies. Additionally, OpenAI’s acquisition of io Products, a company co-founded by Ive, Tan, and others, has led to legal disputes, including trademark infringement claims and allegations of trade secret theft.
Apple’s lawsuit also names io Products as a defendant. OpenAI, which is considering going public and faces competition from rivals like Anthropic and Google, has shifted its focus to core products like ChatGPT but continues to pursue consumer hardware development.
