Apple lodged a civil complaint against OpenAI and two former Apple employees on July 11, 2026, seeking a jury trial over what it describes as a coordinated theft of trade secrets. The lawsuit targets Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, a former iPhone electrical engineer, accusing them of siphoning Apple’s confidential designs to jump‑start OpenAI’s fledgling hardware division.
Allegations against former Apple engineers
According to the filing, Liu took a company laptop when he left Apple, a clear violation of corporate policy. Apple alleges he then exploited a network vulnerability to infiltrate internal folders, downloading files that detailed unreleased iPhone and Apple Watch prototypes, acoustic designs, interconnect schematics and other proprietary data. The complaint even cites internal chat logs where Liu allegedly celebrated the breach with messages like “LOL” and “so funny.”
Liu is further accused of recruiting current Apple staff, coaching them on how to extract data before departing, and urging them to email themselves copies of confidential files. Apple says the former engineer also shared Apple’s internal codenames for upcoming projects with OpenAI personnel, giving the AI company a rare glimpse into the tech giant’s roadmap.
Tan, who spent 25 years at Apple overseeing product design, is alleged to have systematically used Apple’s confidential information to benefit OpenAI. The lawsuit claims he emailed proprietary documents to his new employer, disclosed Apple’s secret metal‑finishing techniques to a third‑party partner, and instructed OpenAI interviewees to bring CAD files, prototypes or even physical parts from Apple to OpenAI facilities.
Apple’s complaint paints a picture of coordinated espionage, suggesting the two engineers acted as conduits for OpenAI to acquire technical know‑how that could accelerate the development of AI‑optimized chips and other hardware components.
OpenAI’s response has been limited to a statement from Director of Strategic Communications Drew Pusateri on X, asserting the company “has no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and remains focused on building innovative technology. Co‑founder and CEO Sam Altman also weighed in, saying he is “not afraid of Apple, but I have tremendous respect for them,” a remark that underscores the tension without addressing the specific accusations.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged misappropriation and requests injunctive relief to prevent further use of Apple’s confidential information. Apple has a history of litigating similar disputes, but the scale of the current filing—targeting an AI pioneer and two senior engineers—marks a new front in the tech industry’s ongoing battle over intellectual property.
If the case proceeds to trial, it could have far‑reaching implications for the partnership between Apple and OpenAI, which has already seen collaboration on integrating ChatGPT‑style capabilities into iOS. A ruling against OpenAI might force the AI firm to curtail its hardware efforts or seek alternative suppliers, while Apple could tighten its security protocols and employee exit procedures.
Industry observers note that the outcome may also signal how aggressively tech giants will protect their trade secrets amid a surge of AI‑driven innovation. For now, both companies remain locked in a legal showdown that could redefine the boundaries of corporate collaboration in the era of artificial intelligence.
Este artículo fue escrito con la asistencia de IA.
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