Apple sues OpenAI, accusing former staff of stealing trade secrets and poaching talent

Key Points

• Apple files a 41‑page lawsuit accusing OpenAI of trade‑secret theft.
• Three former Apple engineers—Tang Tan, Chang Liu, and Yu‑Ting "Alyssa" Peng—now at OpenAI are named in the complaint.
• Liu allegedly accessed Apple’s cloud storage after leaving, downloading confidential design files.
• Peng is accused of relaying Apple project details to OpenAI and helping Liu evade security detection.
• Tan reportedly asked interviewees to bring proprietary Apple hardware components for interviews.
• OpenAI allegedly misled an Apple supplier into believing it had permission to use a metal‑finishing technique.
• OpenAI denies wrongdoing, stating it does not seek other companies’ trade secrets.
• Apple seeks injunctions and damages to protect its intellectual property.