Apple has initiated a legal battle against OpenAI, filing a lawsuit in a US federal court accusing the artificial intelligence company of unlawfully obtaining confidential trade secrets. The tech giant claims these secrets pertain to its hardware development, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.
The lawsuit asserts that OpenAI gained an unfair advantage through its recruitment of former Apple employees who allegedly retained and shared proprietary information. Apple contends that this misconduct involves former employees accessing sensitive data, approaching Apple’s suppliers, and seeking confidential insights during recruitment processes.
Among those named in the lawsuit are former Apple executives and engineers, including Chang Liu, who is accused of not returning a company-issued laptop after his departure. Additionally, Tang Yew Tan, previously a senior Apple executive and later OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, is alleged to have engaged in discussions with OpenAI affiliates and Apple suppliers prior to leaving Apple.
Apple accuses OpenAI and its affiliates of systematically targeting the company’s confidential technology and manufacturing know-how to fast-track their entry into the consumer AI hardware sector. The tech firm highlights that over 400 of its former employees now work for OpenAI and claims that its prior concerns raised with the AI company were ignored.
In response to what it describes as the willful and malicious misappropriation of its business secrets, Apple seeks both preliminary and permanent court injunctions to block OpenAI’s use of its trade secrets. Additionally, the company is pursuing financial damages. As of now, OpenAI has not issued a public response to these allegations.