Apple Sues OpenAI Over Hardware Trade Secrets
智东西 · wechat · 2026-07-11
Apple has sued OpenAI and its hardware lead Tang Tan in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging they used the hiring and interview process to steal trade secrets about Apple's unreleased products to advance OpenAI's own AI hardware development.
Apple claims OpenAI encouraged its employees to share components, blueprints, engineering demos, technical specs, and project data during the job application and resignation periods. The lawsuit also names a former iPhone hardware engineer who allegedly downloaded dozens of confidential Apple documents after joining OpenAI. Apple is demanding OpenAI cease these activities, destroy any proprietary materials in its possession, and redesign unreleased products that might be using Apple's technologies.
This lawsuit follows the transition of their relationship from collaboration to competition. In May this year, OpenAI acquired io Products for $6.5 billion and absorbed several key Apple hardware figures; Apple stated that over 400 former employees have now joined OpenAI. The case also reflects the direct competition between the two tech giants in new hardware frontiers like AI devices and smart glasses.
Related event: Apple Sues OpenAI for Allegedly Stealing Hardware Secrets(75 posts)→
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