Apple sues OpenAI over trade secret theft by ex-employees
Original: Apple sues OpenAI, accuses ex-employees of stealing trade secrets
Why This Matters
The suit directly implicates OpenAI's $6.5B hardware venture and sets a major IP precedent in AI industry talent mobility.
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on July 10, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging that former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan stole confidential trade secrets for OpenAI's benefit. The suit also names io Products as a defendant.
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, former VP of product design Tang Tan, and senior system electrical engineer Chang Liu, alleging theft of Apple trade secrets related to unreleased technologies, processes, and products. Tang Tan previously led iPhone and Apple Watch product design at Apple before departing in February 2024 to work with Jony Ive. Chang Liu worked at Apple for eight years before joining OpenAI in January 2026. OpenAI's hardware division is being led by Jony Ive, Apple's former chief design officer, whose startup io was acquired by OpenAI in a $6.5 billion deal. Apple states it first raised concerns directly with OpenAI in February 2026, requesting an investigation, but received no response. In an official statement, Apple said 'significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple's secret and confidential information.' The complaint describes the disclosed conduct as 'the tip of the iceberg,' alleging misconduct at every level of OpenAI, from technical staff to its Chief Hardware Officer. Jony Ive, Evans Hankey, and Scott Cannon are not personally named in the initial filing.