Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company of obtaining confidential product information through the recruitment of former Apple employees, escalating tensions between two companies that had previously collaborated on AI technology.
The lawsuit, filed on Friday, names OpenAI, design startup io Products, and former Apple employees Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan as defendants. Apple alleges they participated in a coordinated effort to obtain and use confidential company information to advance OpenAI’s growing consumer hardware business.
According to the complaint, Apple claims the defendants engaged in “a pattern of theft” involving proprietary product development data, manufacturing techniques and information related to unreleased devices. The company alleges that at least two longtime employees emailed internal documents to themselves before leaving Apple to join OpenAI.
Tang Yew Tan, who spent 24 years at Apple and served as a vice president overseeing iPhone and Apple Watch design, now holds the position of chief hardware officer at OpenAI. Chang Liu worked as a senior electrical engineer at Apple for eight years before his departure.
Apple argues that the former employees had access to highly sensitive projects, trusted supplier relationships and confidential engineering work. The company claims this information has given OpenAI insight into Apple’s future product plans as it expands into AI-powered hardware.
The lawsuit also alleges that OpenAI encouraged prospective hires from Apple to disclose confidential information during job interviews. According to the filing, interviewers allegedly asked candidates to bring “actual parts” from Apple as demonstration items during discussions about employment.
OpenAI rejected the accusations. Company spokesperson Drew Pusateri told the BBC that OpenAI has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and said the company is reviewing the complaint. He added that OpenAI remains focused on developing technology that benefits users around the world.
An Apple spokesperson told the BBC that the legal action was supported by what the company described as significant evidence gathered during its investigation.
The dispute marks a sharp change in the relationship between the two technology companies. Apple previously integrated ChatGPT into some of its devices as part of its artificial intelligence strategy before shifting more AI features toward Google’s Gemini platform earlier this year.
OpenAI acquired io Products, the startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, last year as part of its push into consumer hardware. The company is expected to launch its first hardware product, reported to be an AI-focused keyboard, later this month while also preparing for a public stock market listing.
Apple is seeking a court order to prevent OpenAI from using any confidential information it claims was improperly obtained. The company is also pursuing unspecified financial damages, arguing that OpenAI ignored attempts to resolve the matter privately earlier this year.
