In a significant legal move, Apple has initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI, filed in a federal court in the United States. The tech giant accuses the artificial intelligence company of improperly acquiring confidential trade secrets concerning Apple’s hardware development, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.
The lawsuit alleges that former Apple employees who transitioned to OpenAI retained proprietary information, subsequently sharing it with the AI firm. This, Apple argues, has provided OpenAI with an undue advantage in the development of its rumored consumer AI hardware products. Specific accusations include accessing sensitive data through these former employees, engaging with Apple suppliers, and attempting to extract confidential information during recruitment processes.
Highlighting its case, Apple has named several former executives and engineers, including Chang Liu, who allegedly did not return a company-issued laptop upon leaving Apple. Also mentioned is Tang Yew Tan, a former senior executive at Apple who later assumed the role of Chief Hardware Officer at OpenAI. Apple contends that Tan engaged in discussions with OpenAI contacts and Apple suppliers prior to his departure.
Apple asserts that OpenAI and its affiliates have systematically targeted the company’s confidential technology and expertise related to manufacturing, product development, and supply chain relationships. This, Apple claims, is part of OpenAI’s strategy to hasten its entrance into the consumer AI hardware sector.
According to Apple, more than 400 of its former employees have transitioned to OpenAI. The company claims that it has previously expressed its concerns directly with OpenAI, yet no response was forthcoming. In its legal pursuit, Apple is seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent further use of its trade secrets, alongside financial compensation for what it describes as deliberate and malicious misuse of its proprietary business information. As of now, OpenAI has not issued a public response to these accusations.