Apple Takes Legal Action Against Openai Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft

WHO:

Techmeme - OpenAI's hardware chief is Tang Tan, who has a strained relationship with former boss John Ternus.

ABC News Tech - Apple, OpenAI, Jony Ive, Sam Altman

CNBC - Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc., Sam Altman, Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI Inc.

WHAT:

CNBC - Apple alleges that OpenAI's scheme to steal trade secrets was "at every level," involving members of its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer.

CNBC - Apple is seeking an injunction that could impact OpenAI’s $6.5 billion hardware initiative.

ABC News Tech - Apple is seeking to build its own hardware for ChatGPT, indicating a major rupture in the partnership with OpenAI.

Techmeme - Apple claims that iPhone engineer Chang Liu left for a job at OpenAI's hardware division with more than just years of experience.

CNBC - Apple alleges that OpenAI bought former Apple designer Jony Ive's startup, called IO Products, for $6.4 billion.

CNBC - Apple is seeking an injunction that could impact OpenAI’s $6.5 billion hardware initiative.

CNBC - Apple is seeking an injunction that could impact OpenAI’s $6.5 billion hardware initiative, alleging that OpenAI sought Apple parts and supplier secrets.

CNBC - Apple claims that OpenAI's hardware business is "rotten to its core" due to its reliance on stolen trade secrets.

CBS News Tech - Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets and engaging in a "pattern of misconduct."

Engadget - The lawsuit also names io Products, the hardware company led by Jony Ive.

NY Post - Apple accuses OpenAI and two ex-employees of misappropriation of trade secrets.

CNET - Apple alleges that OpenAI illegally accessed information about unannounced products.

CNBC - Apple claims that OpenAI's scheme to steal trade secrets was "at every level."

WHERE:

CNBC - The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Northern California.

WHEN:

CNBC - OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year, specifically in 2025.

CNBC - Apple's updated version of its Siri assistant is set to be released this fall, based on Google's Gemini AI models instead of OpenAI's technology.

CNBC - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman visited Apple's headquarters for the announcement of their partnership in 2024.

CNBC - Apple's updated version of its Siri assistant, which is based on Google's Gemini AI models, is set to be released this fall.

CNBC - The lawsuit was filed on a Friday.

CNBC - OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year.

CNBC - Apple and OpenAI entered into a partnership in 2024.

WHY:

Techmeme - The lawsuit follows months of simmering tensions between Apple and OpenAI, highlighting OpenAI's hardware chief Tang Tan's strained relationship with former boss John Ternus.

Techmeme - The lawsuit follows months of simmering tensions between Apple and OpenAI.

ABC News Tech - Apple seeks to build its own hardware for ChatGPT, indicating a major rupture in the partnership with OpenAI.

CNBC - Apple alleges that the relationship between the two companies has deteriorated since OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year.

CNBC - Relations between Apple and OpenAI have chilled since OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year.

CNBC - Apple alleges that the relationship between the two companies has deteriorated since OpenAI announced plans to enter the hardware industry last year.

ABC News Tech - Apple seeks to build its own hardware for ChatGPT, indicating a major rupture in the partnership with OpenAI.

Techmeme - Apple states that OpenAI leadership "normalized" misconduct and that OpenAI's hardware business is "rotten to its core" due to reliance on stolen trade secrets.

HOW:

Inc - Apple claims that job interviews were used by OpenAI to steal iPhone secrets, involving former employees who have interviewed with or joined OpenAI.

Inc - Apple alleges that job interviews were used by OpenAI to steal iPhone secrets.

CNBC - Apple claims that most of its allegations involve former employees who have interviewed with or joined OpenAI.

CNBC - Apple claims that OpenAI has been stealing its trade secrets and confidential information through its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer, in coordination with business partners.

Inc - Apple claims that former employees of the company who interviewed with or joined OpenAI were involved in the alleged theft of trade secrets.

CNBC - Apple alleges that OpenAI has been stealing its trade secrets and confidential information through its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer, in coordination with business partners.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 19:17 UTC)

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company engaged in a scheme to steal trade secrets at all levels, including the involvement of its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer. The tech giant is seeking an injunction that could significantly affect OpenAI’s $6.5 billion hardware initiative, while also indicating plans to develop its own hardware for ChatGPT, signaling a major split in their partnership. This legal action comes after months of rising tensions between the two companies, particularly highlighting the strained relationship between OpenAI's hardware chief Tang Tan and his former boss, John Ternus, with claims that job interviews were misused to extract iPhone secrets.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 17:14 UTC)

OpenAI's hardware chief, Tang Tan, is reportedly facing a strained relationship with his former boss, John Ternus, as tensions escalate between Apple and OpenAI. Apple claims that iPhone engineer Chang Liu left for OpenAI's hardware division not just with experience, but also with sensitive information, alleging that job interviews were used by OpenAI to steal iPhone secrets. This lawsuit comes on the heels of OpenAI's announcement last year about its plans to enter the hardware industry in 2025.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 16:13 UTC)

Apple is gearing up to release an updated version of its Siri assistant this fall, transitioning to Google's Gemini AI models instead of relying on OpenAI's technology. This move comes as Apple aims to develop its own hardware for ChatGPT, signaling a significant break in its partnership with OpenAI. The company alleges that many of its claims involve former employees who have either interviewed with or joined OpenAI.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 05:49 UTC)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently visited Apple's headquarters to announce a partnership set for 2024. However, Apple claims that the relationship has soured since OpenAI revealed plans to enter the hardware industry last year, alleging that OpenAI has been stealing trade secrets and confidential information through its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer, in collaboration with business partners. This development highlights the ongoing tensions between the two tech giants as they navigate their evolving business dynamics.

(UPDATED July 11, 2026 00:14 UTC)

Apple has filed an allegation claiming that OpenAI purchased former Apple designer Jony Ive's startup, IO Products, for a staggering $6.4 billion. In response, Apple is seeking an injunction that could potentially affect OpenAI’s ambitious $6.5 billion hardware initiative. Tensions between the two companies have escalated since OpenAI revealed its intentions to enter the hardware market last year.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 23:17 UTC)

Apple is seeking an injunction that could significantly impact OpenAI's $6.5 billion hardware initiative, alleging that OpenAI has relied on stolen trade secrets and claiming its hardware business is "rotten to its core." The relationship between the two companies has reportedly soured since OpenAI announced its plans to enter the hardware industry last year, with Apple asserting that former employees who joined OpenAI were involved in the alleged theft. Meanwhile, Apple is preparing to release an updated version of its Siri assistant, which will be based on Google's Gemini AI models, this fall.

(UPDATED July 10, 2026 22:20 UTC)

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets and engaging in a pattern of misconduct, with the lawsuit also naming io Products, the hardware company led by Jony Ive. The legal action was taken in federal court in Northern California and claims that OpenAI illegally accessed information about unannounced products. Apple alleges that the scheme to misappropriate trade secrets was pervasive at every level of OpenAI, which has raised significant concerns about the integrity of the company's leadership. This lawsuit marks a major rupture in the partnership between Apple and OpenAI, as Apple seeks to build its own hardware for ChatGPT. According to Apple, OpenAI's hardware business is fundamentally flawed due to its reliance on stolen trade secrets, further complicating the relationship between the two tech giants.