Apple Sues OpenAI Over Hardware Trade Secret Theft

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two former employees in a California federal court, alleging systematic theft of trade secrets related to consumer devices. The suit claims OpenAI instructed job candidates to bring blueprints and prototypes from Apple to interviews, and that its chief hardware officer Tang Tan coached Apple staffers to delay their departures while sharing confidential information. Former Apple engineer Chang Liu is also named, accused of using an unreturned work laptop to access Apple's internal network and download files on upcoming products. Apple is seeking damages and an injunction blocking OpenAI from using its trade secrets. OpenAI denied the allegations, stating it has no interest in competitors' proprietary information.