Apple Targets Former Employees at OpenAI in Escalating Trade Secrets Battle – Channelnews
Apple says more than 400 former employees now work at OpenAI as it seeks to block a hardware push built on alleged confidential designs.
- On July 10, 2026, Apple filed a federal lawsuit in California accusing OpenAI, io Products, Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, and former Apple engineer Chang Liu of misappropriating trade secrets related to hardware development.
- The complaint alleges a pattern of misconduct, including Tan soliciting proprietary information during job interviews and Liu downloading confidential files after failing to return company hardware while employed at Apple.
- Apple has expanded its investigation by issuing legal preservation letters to around 40 former employees now working at OpenAI, describing evidence uncovered so far as potentially only the "tip of the iceberg."
- OpenAI has rejected the allegations, stating it is "not aware of any evidence that this complaint is justified," while continuing development on its upcoming consumer hardware devices despite the litigation.
- The lawsuit could delay OpenAI's 2027 smart speaker launch, highlighting broader industry challenges in protecting intellectual property as AI companies aggressively recruit experienced engineers from competitors.
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17 Articles
Apple Targets Former Employees at OpenAI in Escalating Trade Secrets Battle – channelnews
Apple has expanded its legal battle with OpenAI with reports that it has sent legal preservation letters to around 40 former employees who now work at OpenAI. The company is investigating allegations that confidential Apple technology information was improperly obtained. The letters instruct recipients to preserve potentially relevant documents, communications and other evidence that could be used in the ongoing dispute. While the former employees have not been named as defendants, the move signals that Apple believes the alleged misuse of confidential information may extend beyond the individuals already targeted in its lawsuit. Apple has recently sued OpenAI, along with former Apple executives including Tang Tan, who now leads OpenAI’s hardware efforts, and former Apple engineer Chang Liu, accusing them of misappropriating trade secrets linked to hardware development and future products. The dispute centres on Apple’s claim that confidential information covering areas such as hardware engineering, manufacturing processes and unreleased product plans may have been used to speed up OpenAI’s move into consumer hardware. Apple has described the evidence uncovered so far as potentially only the “tip of the iceberg”. Following its acquisition of AI hardware startup io, OpenAI is reportedly pushing deeper into hardware, with plans to develop new consumer devices that could compete with Apple and other major tech companies. Apple’s lawsuit claims that the movement of talent between Apple and OpenAI raises concerns about the protection of intellectual property in the AI era. According to Apple, more than 400 former Apple employees are reportedly now working at OpenAI. The company has not alleged that all former employees were involved in any wrongdoing. OpenAI has rejected Apple’s allegations, saying it is not aware of evidence supporting the claims. For the technology industry, the dispute highlights a growing challenge for companies to protect trade secrets as AI companies aggressively recruit experienced engineers. The case also raises questions around intellectual property, and the ownership or knowledge and expertise, as employees move between competing companies, particularly in the fast-growing fields of AI and connected hardware.
Apple probably won't add Jony Ive to OpenAI trade secret theft suit
Four years ago, Jony Ive left Apple, and joined OpenAI, yet he isn't named in the intellectual property theft suit. The reasons for that are myriad, ranging from the personal to practical.Jony Ive & OpenAI's Sam Altman | Image Credit: OpenAIOn July 10, Apple launched what looks to become a major lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing ex-Apple employees of stealing intellectual property. However, despite former Apple design chief's links to OpenAI, he …
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