Apple sues OpenAI, alleges ChatGPT maker stole trade secrets to build AI hardware
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the ChatGPT maker of stealing trade secrets to support its efforts to develop AI hardware, marking a major escalation in tensions between the two companies.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, alleges that OpenAI and two former Apple employees engaged in a coordinated effort to misuse confidential information related to Apple’s hardware development.
Apple alleges ‘pattern of coordinated abuse’
In the court filing, Apple accused OpenAI of benefiting from stolen private information.
“This case concerns former employees of Apple stealing Apple’s trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI,” the lawsuit states.
It also alleges that the theft was part of a “coordinated pattern of misconduct at the corporate level.”
“Apple is bringing this lawsuit to put an end to this,” the filing says.
Former Apple executives named in lawsuit
Two former Apple employees are listed as defendants in the case:
-Tang Tan is a long-time Apple executive who helped design the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPod, and currently serves as OpenAI’s Director of Hardware.
-Chang Liu is a former Apple electrical engineer who joined OpenAI earlier this year.
Apple alleges that both employees improperly accessed confidential company information after switching to OpenAI.
Confidential file access requests
According to the lawsuit, Apple’s internal investigation uncovered what it described as a “pattern of theft” involving confidential hardware-related information.
Apple alleges that Liu downloaded sensitive hardware files using an Apple-issued device that he kept after leaving the company.
The lawsuit also alleges that Tan instructed job candidates currently working at Apple to bring “Real pieces” of Apple to interviews at OpenAI.
Apple says OpenAI ignored concerns
Apple claimed that it contacted OpenAI in February to raise concerns raised during the investigation, but the company did not respond.
An Apple spokesperson said the company is committed to protecting its innovations.
“We will always defend the hard work and innovation of our teams and we are taking all necessary steps to do so.”
OpenAI has not yet responded
OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The company hasn’t revealed specific details about its planned AI hardware, but has previously said it’s developing a new way for users to interact with AI beyond “traditional products and interfaces.”
Apple argues that OpenAI’s hardware targets are based on illegally obtained information.
“OpenAI’s nascent hardware business is now built on the weakest of foundations and is rotten to the core due to its illicit reliance on misappropriated trade secrets,” the lawsuit states. The statement is included.
