Apple files lawsuit against OpenAI for alleged trade secret theft involving former employees

Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on September 19, 2025, alleging that the artificial intelligence company stole trade secrets in a bid to create its own hardware device. The lawsuit claims that OpenAI poached Apple employees and coaxed them to share confidential information, including product designs and proprietary technology.

Details of the Allegations Against OpenAI

The lawsuit outlines that OpenAI's actions involved several former Apple employees who allegedly took confidential information with them. Apple spokesperson stated, "Recently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple’s secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes, and products."

Among the individuals named in the lawsuit is Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and a former vice-president at Apple. Apple claims that Tan directed job candidates still employed at Apple to bring "actual parts" from the company to their interviews, facilitating the extraction of confidential information.

OpenAI's Response to Apple's Lawsuit

In response to the allegations, Drew Pusateri, a spokesperson for OpenAI, stated, "We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere." This response comes after a significant partnership between Apple and OpenAI in 2024, when they announced the integration of OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, into Apple’s operating systems.

However, tensions escalated when Apple recently showcased its updated voice assistant, Siri, which was based on Google’s Gemini AI model, rather than ChatGPT. This shift in AI strategy raised questions about the future of their partnership.

Implications of the Lawsuit for Both Companies

Apple's lawsuit could have significant implications for OpenAI, especially as it has recently ventured into hardware through the acquisition of a startup founded by former Apple design guru Jony Ive. The startup, io Products, is also named in Apple’s lawsuit, which claims that OpenAI's hardware business is built on misappropriated trade secrets.

The company is seeking damages and a court order to prevent OpenAI from using or possessing any of its trade secrets. Apple emphasized the importance of protecting its intellectual property, stating, "Our teams are constantly developing breakthrough technologies to create the best products and services in the world, and protecting their work and intellectual property is something we take very seriously."