Apple and OpenAI are headed for a massive courtroom clash over hardware secrets. The iPhone maker filed a 41 page lawsuit in California accusing the artificial intelligence lab of stealing proprietary designs to build its own physical devices. OpenAI is pushing back hard. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, the firm dismissed the claims as completely meritless
.
The legal battle focuses on 2 former Apple employees who now work on the hardware team at OpenAI. Tang Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple and helped design the iPhone, serves as the chief hardware officer for the AI lab. Chang Liu, a former senior systems engineer, also joined the team. Apple claims these executives targeted internal talent during job interviews. The lawsuit alleges they asked candidates to share secrets regarding unreleased Apple hardware, manufacturing techniques, and supply relationships.
The accusations go even deeper. Apple claims Liu kept a company laptop and exploited a system bug to access confidential files after joining his new employer. The legal filing describes this behavior as a normal practice within the AI lab. Apple claims the misconduct reaches the very top of OpenAI leadership. Because of this, Apple says OpenAI is building its new hardware division on stolen property.
OpenAI initially brushed off the lawsuit. Spokesperson told TechCrunch that the firm has no interest in the trade secrets of other businesses
. Now, OpenAI is changing its public defense. The company told Bloomberg that it supports fair competition and believes employees should have the freedom to work wherever they want. This defense points to a broader trend. More than 400 former Apple employees have made the move to the AI lab in recent years. OpenAI will likely frame the lawsuit as an aggressive reaction to losing top talent.
This courtroom fight comes as OpenAI prepares its own physical product. The firm recently bought io, a startup created by designer Jony Ive. reports suggest OpenAI is developing a mobile smart speaker that does not use a screen. Apple wants to stop this product in its tracks. The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, financial damages, and an immediate court order to stop OpenAI from using any Apple data.
