SAN FRANCISCO — Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, two former Apple employees and affiliated entities, alleging the misappropriation of confidential trade secrets related to its hardware development, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the longtime technology partners as they increasingly compete in artificial intelligence.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Friday, accuses OpenAI of benefiting from a coordinated effort by former Apple employees to obtain and use proprietary information involving unreleased hardware technologies, manufacturing processes and supplier relationships.
Apple named former executive Tang Tan, now OpenAI's chief hardware officer, and former Apple engineer Chang Liu as defendants, alongside OpenAI and io Products, a hardware startup acquired by OpenAI in 2025. The company alleges the defendants improperly retained or accessed confidential Apple information after leaving the iPhone maker and used it to advance OpenAI's consumer hardware ambitions.
According to the lawsuit, Apple alleges Tang encouraged prospective hires from Apple to disclose confidential information during interviews and sought supplier-related data before his departure. The complaint also alleges Liu continued accessing Apple systems after leaving the company and downloaded sensitive engineering documents. Apple further claims OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to avoid scrutiny during their exits and encouraged recruits to share proprietary materials. Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Apple said it had raised concerns with OpenAI earlier this year but did not receive a response it considered satisfactory before filing suit. The company is seeking unspecified damages, the return or destruction of allegedly misappropriated materials, and court orders preventing further use or disclosure of its confidential information.
OpenAI denied wrongdoing, saying it has no interest in competitors' trade secrets and remains focused on developing its own technology. The company has not publicly addressed the specific allegations in detail.
The lawsuit represents a significant deterioration in relations between the companies, which began collaborating in 2024 when Apple integrated ChatGPT capabilities into its software ecosystem. Since then, OpenAI has expanded its hardware ambitions, including through the acquisition of io Products and recruitment of former Apple engineers.
Court records show the case remains in its early stages. None of Apple's allegations have been tested in court, and the defendants will have an opportunity to respond through the judicial process.
