Apple Takes OpenAI to Court
Apple has taken legal action against OpenAI by filing a lawsuit in California Federal Court. The American technology company accuses OpenAI, along with two former Apple executives, of misappropriating trade secrets to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-based hardware.
In the lawsuit, filed on Friday (July 10, 2026 local time), Apple alleges that the allegedly misappropriated information includes product designs, manufacturing processes, and supply chain strategies, which have long been key company assets.
The two former employees sued are Chang Liu, a former senior electrical systems engineer, and Tang Yew Tan, former Vice President of Product Design for iPhone and Apple Watch. In addition to the two, Apple is also suing the OpenAI Foundation, OpenAI Group PBC, and io Products.
Apple accuses Chang Liu of failing to return a work laptop after resigning from the company. The device was allegedly used to access Apple’s internal network and download confidential documents.
Meanwhile, Tang Yew Tan is said to have sent various internal documents to his personal account before officially leaving Apple. The documents are claimed to contain sensitive information about suppliers and confidential industry analysis.
Apple also accused Tan of encouraging candidates seeking to join OpenAI to bring Apple components to interviews for the AI ​​company to study.
“The fact that OpenAI now employs individuals who were once entrusted with Apple’s trade secrets does not give OpenAI the right to use that information to accelerate its hardware development efforts,” Apple wrote in the lawsuit.
Furthermore, Apple alleges that OpenAI attempted to obtain technical information through the company’s supplier network. In one example revealed in court, a supplier allegedly used Apple’s proprietary metal finishing techniques for an OpenAI project, believing it had obtained Apple’s permission.
The legal dispute relates to OpenAI’s ambitions to develop next-generation AI hardware. While it has not yet revealed any products in development, OpenAI has previously stated that it wants to deliver devices that offer new ways for users to interact with artificial intelligence technology.
These efforts were further strengthened after OpenAI acquired hardware company io Products, a startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, in a $6.5 billion transaction. However, Jony Ive is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Apple revealed that the dispute actually began with a letter sent to OpenAI in February 2026. At that time, Apple requested clarification regarding the alleged use of confidential company information, but claimed to have never received a response.
This lawsuit marks a new chapter in the relationship between Apple and OpenAI. The two companies have been collaborating since 2024 through the integration of ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence and Siri, allowing iPhone users to directly access OpenAI’s AI services.
