OpenAI stated it is not aware of any evidence supporting Apple's allegations of trade secret theft. In a statement provided to Bloomberg, the AI company emphasized its belief in fair competition and employee freedom to choose their workplace, reaffirming its focus on building innovative technology for everyone.
Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI over intellectual property
Apple filed a lawsuit last Friday accusing OpenAI of stealing confidential information. According to the complaint, OpenAI employees Tang Tan and Chang Liu conspired to misappropriate Apple's trade secrets to advance OpenAI's hardware development. Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer, is a 24-year Apple veteran who led product design, while Liu, a member of OpenAI's hardware team, previously worked as a senior systems electrical engineer at Apple.
The allegations claim that Tan and Liu asked Apple employees interviewing at OpenAI to come prepared with details on unreleased devices, components, manufacturing processes, and vendor relationships. Liu is also accused of keeping an Apple-issued laptop and exploiting an authentication bug to view confidential documents while still at Apple. The lawsuit describes this as 'the tip of the iceberg', asserting that OpenAI has normalized such misconduct from its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, in coordination with business partners.
Sponsored Protocol
OpenAI's response and the employee mobility argument
Initially, OpenAI dismissed the suit with a curt statement: 'We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets.' However, the new statement hints at a key defense: employee mobility. Apple claims more than 400 former Apple employees have moved to OpenAI. OpenAI can argue that the lawsuit is motivated by this talent drain rather than actual theft.
Sponsored Protocol
Apple is seeking a jury trial and hopes to uncover more evidence through discovery. It has requested an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using any Apple information in developing its AI hardware device. Apple is also seeking damages and suing Tan and Liu for breach of contract. The case raises questions about competition in the tech industry and intellectual property protection. As generative AI expands rapidly, such disputes highlight tensions between innovation and corporate secrecy. For more context, read the Common Sense Media report on AI risks, or explore Apple's hardware advancements with the Apple Watch Series 12 T8320 chip. For legal background, see Wikipedia's article on trade secrets.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/14/openai-apple-lawsuit-response
