Apple accuses OpenAI staff of taking trade secrets
Apple's complaint names OpenAI, Jony Ive's IO Products and two former Apple employees as defendants in a trade secrets case.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Apple has sued OpenAI, accusing employees who previously worked at Apple of taking trade secrets for the AI company’s benefit. The case ties Apple’s allegations to OpenAI’s hardware operation, including IO Products, the Jony Ive startup OpenAI bought in 2025, according to The Verge.
In its complaint, Apple alleges it uncovered a pattern involving former Apple staff now employed by OpenAI. Apple says those workers took confidential Apple information connected to unreleased technologies, processes and products.
The complaint names OpenAI, IO Products, Tang Tan and Chang Liu as defendants, according to The Verge. Tan is OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, and Liu joined OpenAI from Apple in January, The Verge reported.
Apple’s filing says the alleged trade secret theft was done “for the benefit of OpenAI.” The available details do not identify the specific unreleased products or technologies Apple believes were affected.
An Apple spokesperson, in a statement shared with 9to5Mac, said the company takes the protection of its work and intellectual property seriously. The spokesperson said Apple had seen significant evidence suggesting people employed by OpenAI wrongfully took secret and confidential Apple information related to unreleased work.
The same statement said Apple would defend its teams’ work and take appropriate steps. OpenAI’s response to the allegations was not included in the available reporting.
The Verge reported that Apple and OpenAI did not immediately respond to its requests for comment. The report described the matter as developing.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.