Apple has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI, IO Products, and two former Apple employees of misappropriating trade secrets tied to unreleased hardware technologies. The complaint names Tang Tan, now OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI from Apple in January. IO Products, the hardware startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive and acquired by OpenAI in 2025, is also listed as a defendant.
Apple alleges that OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple engaged in a “pattern of theft” involving confidential files, supplier information, technical specifications, engineering presentations, and data related to unreleased products. The company says Liu accessed Apple systems after leaving the company and downloaded hardware-related materials. Apple also claims he advised a former colleague on how to copy confidential files and avoid detection before joining OpenAI, including by communicating through Line Messenger.
The suit separately alleges that Tan used Apple confidential information to benefit OpenAI, including by emailing himself supplier details before his departure and seeking protected information while recruiting Apple employees. Apple further claims OpenAI interviewers asked candidates to bring design artifacts, CAD materials, and prototypes, and that OpenAI sought to use Apple-related supplier processes in its own hardware work.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said it takes protection of intellectual property seriously and is pursuing appropriate steps after evidence emerged suggesting confidential information was wrongfully taken. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri told The Verge that the company has “no interest in other companies’ trade secrets” and remains focused on building technology for users.
Apple says more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI and claims it contacted OpenAI in February about its concerns but received no response. OpenAI’s first hardware product is expected next year. The allegations have not yet been tested in court. Legal proceedings will follow.