Apple Sues OpenAI: Trade Secret Theft Allegations

Apple is accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets. The tech giant filed a lawsuit claiming OpenAI encouraged former Apple employees to share confidential information. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, names two former Apple employees now at OpenAI: Tang Tan, OpenAI's chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, a former Apple electrical engineer. Apple alleges these individuals accessed and downloaded confidential company information and files. For example, Apple claims Liu downloaded hardware-related files on an Apple device he kept, and Tan directed job candidates to bring "actual parts" from Apple to OpenAI interviews. Apple says it uncovered a pattern of theft by former employees moving to OpenAI. OpenAI states it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and is focused on innovation. This legal action signals a major rupture in the partnership between the two companies. It shows a growing tension in the competitive world of AI hardware development.