Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the artificial intelligence company unlawfully acquired and used Apple’s trade secrets and confidential hardware technology in the development of its AI hardware projects.
According to the lawsuit, Apple claims OpenAI benefited from confidential information obtained through former Apple employees and used proprietary hardware-related knowledge to advance its next-generation AI hardware initiatives. The company alleges that the information constituted protected trade secrets and was acquired without authorization.
The complaint also names two former Apple employees—Tang Tan and Chang Liu—who are alleged to have played key roles in the misuse of confidential information after leaving the company.
Tang Tan, who previously worked on major Apple products including the iPhone, Apple Watch and iPod, currently serves as OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer. Apple alleges that during OpenAI’s recruitment process, Tan instructed candidates who were still employed at Apple to bring actual Apple hardware components to job interviews.
Chang Liu, a former electrical engineer at Apple, has also been accused of participating in the alleged misuse of confidential technical information after joining OpenAI.
Apple claims that OpenAI followed a coordinated strategy to obtain confidential company materials and that the two former employees used proprietary knowledge acquired during their tenure at Apple to support OpenAI’s hardware development efforts.
Through the lawsuit, Apple is seeking legal remedies against the alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential technology. The case is expected to focus on whether proprietary hardware information was unlawfully obtained and used in the development of OpenAI’s AI hardware products.
Neither the court has ruled on the allegations nor have the claims been established. The litigation is expected to proceed through the judicial process, where both parties will have the opportunity to present their evidence and arguments.
