Apple files lawsuit accusing ChatGPT maker OpenAI of stealing trade secrets

Apple has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court accusing OpenAI and two former Apple employees of stealing trade secrets. The complaint alleges that former employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, along with OpenAI, engaged in a coordinated effort to acquire confidential Apple information. This information reportedly includes product designs, manufacturing processes, and supply chain strategies, which Apple claims were used to benefit OpenAI's development of its own hardware for ChatGPT. Apple alleges Liu accessed internal networks and downloaded confidential files, while Tan is accused of emailing himself sensitive information about suppliers and industry summaries before leaving the company. The lawsuit also claims Tan encouraged Apple employees to bring company parts to OpenAI interviews.

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, its employees, and io Products, alleging theft of trade secrets. The lawsuit claims OpenAI pursued a strategy to extract Apple's confidential information, including details about product plans and operations. Apple specifically names former Apple executives Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, now with OpenAI, as key figures in this alleged scheme. Apple contends that these individuals used their past access to sensitive projects and proprietary techniques to benefit OpenAI's nascent hardware business. The company also alleges that OpenAI attempts to extract further information from current Apple employees during job interviews.

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in federal court in San Jose, California. The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a campaign to steal Apple's trade secrets. Apple alleges that OpenAI has aggressively sought to poach Apple employees and extract confidential information to aid in the development of its own consumer hardware device. This legal action represents a significant increase in tensions between the two companies, which had partnered in 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into Apple's products.

Apple has filed a lawsuit in California federal court accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets. The lawsuit alleges that former Apple employees now working for OpenAI, including chief hardware officer Tang Tan and electrical engineer Chang Liu, misappropriated Apple's confidential information to benefit OpenAI's nascent hardware business. Apple claims this theft is part of a "coordinated pattern of misconduct at an institutional level" by OpenAI. The iPhone maker stated it reached out to OpenAI in February with its concerns, but received no response. OpenAI has not yet commented on the lawsuit.