Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company and two former Apple employees of misappropriating confidential information linked to unreleased hardware products. The case marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two technology companies, which have collaborated on AI features in recent years.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that OpenAI built a coordinated effort to obtain proprietary Apple information by recruiting employees and encouraging them to disclose confidential documents, engineering material and even hardware components during the hiring process.
Apple accuses OpenAI of targeting confidential hardware information
Among those named in the suit is Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and a former Apple vice president of product design. Apple alleges Tan encouraged prospective hires to discuss confidential projects and share information related to upcoming Apple products during job interviews.
Tan previously led the development of several flagship Apple devices, including the iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods.
The lawsuit also names former Apple hardware engineer Chang Liu. Apple alleges Liu illegally accessed dozens of confidential hardware files and engineering presentations after leaving the company and used the information while developing hardware projects at OpenAI.
Apple further claims OpenAI coached departing Apple employees on how to retain access to sensitive company information after resigning.
OpenAI rejects allegations
Responding to the lawsuit, OpenAI denied any wrongdoing.
“We have no interest in other companies’ trade secrets and remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere,” the company said.
According to the complaint, around 400 former Apple employees have joined OpenAI as the AI company expands its hardware ambitions ahead of a planned initial public offering. Apple alleges the recruitment effort extended “at every level, from members of its technical staff to its chief hardware officer, and in coordination with business partners.”
Apple seeks destruction of disputed material
Apple has asked the court to order OpenAI to destroy any proprietary material allegedly obtained from the company. It is also seeking redesigns of products that, according to the complaint, incorporate copied Apple technology.
The legal battle comes despite years of cooperation between the companies. OpenAI has supplied technology for Apple Intelligence and Siri. Relations, however, have deteriorated over the past year as OpenAI expanded its consumer hardware ambitions, including its work with former Apple design chief Jony Ive.