Apple Accuses OpenAI of Trade‑Secret Theft and Files Sweeping Lawsuit

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:15:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Apple sues OpenAI, former employees and Jony Ive’s startup for allegedly stealing confidential info as OpenAI pushes into hardware.

Apple alleges that OpenAI, through the hiring of two long‑time Apple engineers and its acquisition of Jony Ive’s design studio, has engaged in a pattern of trade‑secret theft. The lawsuit claims that former Apple staff took internal data and that OpenAI’s interview process allegedly encouraged prospective hires to bring Apple hardware parts as “props.” As OpenAI looks to launch its own keyboard and other hardware, the suit could strain the relationship between the two tech giants and set a precedent for IP protection in the AI sector.

Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, citing the alleged theft of confidential product‑development data by former Apple employees who joined the AI company.

In the complaint, Apple accuses two ex‑Apple engineers—one a senior electrical engineer and the other a former design VP for iPhone and Apple Watch—of emailing themselves internal Apple information. It also names the design studio founded by former chief design officer Jony Ive, now part of OpenAI, as a target of the lawsuit.

Apple’s spokesperson highlighted “significant evidence” that OpenAI has leveraged insider knowledge to gain a foothold in the consumer hardware market, a move it views as a “strategy to extract Apple’s confidential information.”

OpenAI spokesman Drew Pusateri denied any interest in trade secrets, stating the company is focused on building innovative technology. He noted that OpenAI is reviewing Apple’s complaint and that the company remains dedicated to empowering users worldwide.

Apple’s case gains further urgency as OpenAI plans its first hardware product—a specialized keyboard for its AI tools—within the month, and seeks to go public. The lawsuit seeks an injunction preventing OpenAI from using any alleged confidential data and requests unspecified monetary damages.

The tension reflects Apple’s evolving AI strategy, which has recently shifted from its own in‑house models to Google’s Gemini for device‑side inference. Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook had previously added ChatGPT to Apple devices, underscoring the company’s prior collaboration with OpenAI.