Apple has initiated legal action against OpenAI, claiming that former Apple employees who now work for OpenAI have misappropriated Apple's trade secrets for OpenAI's benefit. In its legal complaint, Apple asserts that it has identified a pattern of theft involving OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple. The lawsuit names IO Products, a hardware startup acquired by OpenAI in 2025 and founded by Jony Ive, as well as Tang Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI from Apple in January, as defendants. An Apple spokesperson provided a statement to 9to5Mac regarding the lawsuit.
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Apple files lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that former employees have stolen trade secrets. The lawsuit names specific individuals and a hardware startup acquired by OpenAI as defendants.
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IO Products
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Jony Ive
Tang Tan
Chang Liu
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Apple sues OpenAI for allegedly stealing hardware secrets
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Apple files lawsuit against OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft