Apple has launched a major legal challenge against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence firm of a systematic campaign to steal trade secrets. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, alleges that OpenAI encouraged former Apple employees to bring confidential materials, including hardware prototypes and design documents, to job interviews. Apple claims this effort was designed to accelerate OpenAI’s development of its own consumer hardware devices.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations involving former Apple engineers who moved to OpenAI’s growing hardware division. Apple specifically points to Chang Liu, a former electrical engineer, who allegedly retained a company-issued MacBook and exploited a software bug to access internal file servers after joining OpenAI. According to the court filing, Liu messaged a colleague about his ability to access the network, writing, "LOL, I found out I can access the network storage, so funny."
Apple’s complaint also names Tang Tan, a former Apple vice president of product design who now leads hardware efforts at OpenAI. The lawsuit suggests that Tan directed a coordinated effort to recruit Apple staff and solicit proprietary information. Apple asserts that these actions represent an institutional attempt to misappropriate years of research and development, which it argues is essential to protecting its competitive edge in the electronics market.
OpenAI has denied the accusations, stating that it has no interest in the trade secrets of other companies. A spokesperson for the firm emphasized that its focus remains on building innovative technology that empowers people globally. The company has not publicly detailed the specific hardware it is developing, though it has indicated an interest in creating new ways for users to interact with artificial intelligence beyond traditional interfaces.
This legal battle marks a significant rupture between two of the tech industry's most influential players. As the case proceeds, it may impact OpenAI’s future business plans, including potential efforts to go public. For now, the industry is watching closely to see how the court handles these claims of intellectual property theft and what the implications might be for the broader AI hardware race.