Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of stealing trade secrets. The iPhone maker alleges that OpenAI orchestrated a campaign to poach Apple employees and acquire confidential information to accelerate its own hardware development.
Apple filed a lawsuit in a California federal court on Friday, accusing OpenAI of orchestrating a campaign to poach employees and steal trade secrets for its hardware development. The suit names OpenAI and two former Apple employees, Tang Tan and Chang Liu, as defendants. Apple claims that over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, and that the company encouraged these individuals to share confidential information and proprietary designs. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI's hardware business is built on stolen trade secrets. OpenAI has stated it is reviewing the filing and has no interest in other companies' trade secrets.
The lawsuit details accusations that OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, who previously led product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch, directed job candidates still employed by Apple to bring "actual parts" from Apple to their interviews at OpenAI for "show and tell" sessions. Apple also alleges that Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer, kept an Apple-issued laptop after his departure and exploited a security bug to download confidential hardware-related files. According to the complaint, Liu allegedly joked about the exploit in messages with colleagues. Apple further claims that OpenAI approached one of its suppliers and tricked the company into using a proprietary metal finishing technique for an OpenAI device by falsely stating it had Apple's permission.
Apple states it began its investigation in February after concerns arose about compromised confidential information and uncovered a pattern of theft by former employees who had moved to OpenAI. The company asserts that OpenAI actively guided recruits on how to avoid scrutiny when taking jobs at the AI firm. The lawsuit also names io Products, a startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, which OpenAI acquired for approximately $6.5 billion, as a defendant. Apple contends that OpenAI's hardware ambitions are built on a foundation of misappropriated trade secrets.
An Apple spokesperson stated that the company is committed to defending its teams' work and innovations, and is taking all appropriate steps to do so. OpenAI, in its response, said it is reviewing the filing and maintains that it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets, focusing instead on building innovative technology. The company also stated it is not aware of any evidence that Apple's allegations have merit and believes in fair competition and employee mobility. Apple is seeking damages and a court order to prevent OpenAI from using its trade secrets.