OpenAI denies Apple’s trade secret theft claims as legal battle escalates

OpenAI has denied allegations in a sweeping trade secrets lawsuit filed by Apple ↗ 2.04%, declaring it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" as the two tech giants head toward what could become one of the most consequential legal battles in Silicon Valley.9to5mac+1

Apple filed the federal lawsuit on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing OpenAI, former Apple hardware chief Tang Yew Tan, former engineer Chang Liu, and io Products — the hardware startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive and later acquired by OpenAI — of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to steal confidential hardware files, engineering specifications, and manufacturing methods.nytimes+2

The Allegations

The 41-page complaint paints a picture of what Apple calls "a coordinated pattern of misconduct at an institutional level." Apple alleges that Tan, who spent 24 years at the company and served as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch, directed departing Apple employees to bring "actual parts" from Apple to interviews in what the complaint describes as "show and tell" sessions. Chang Liu, a senior systems electrical engineer who spent eight years at Apple, allegedly retained an Apple-issued laptop after leaving for OpenAI and used it to download confidential technical documents.fortune+3

"At every level, from members of its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple's trade secrets and confidential information," Apple stated in the filing.cnbc

Apple claims it raised concerns with OpenAI in February but was rebuffed, leaving it "no choice but to file this lawsuit."bbc+1

OpenAI's Response and Hardware Ambitions

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded on X shortly after the filing, stating: "We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."macrumors+1

The lawsuit arrives at a pivotal moment for OpenAI's hardware ambitions. The company has said it plans to unveil its first device in the second half of 2026, with shipments expected no earlier than February 2027, according to a sworn statement from an OpenAI vice president in a prior legal filing. More than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, according to Reuters.reuters+2

What Apple Is Seeking

Apple is pursuing injunctive relief that would bar OpenAI from possessing, using, or disclosing its trade secrets, along with the return of all confidential materials, preservation of evidence, and unspecified damages. If granted, such an injunction could force OpenAI to redesign aspects of its hardware without Apple's proprietary information, potentially delaying its device timeline further.axios+2