Apple Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Alleges Theft of Trade Secrets and Confidential Hardware Information

New Delhi: Apple has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI and its chief hardware officer, Tang Tan, accusing them of orchestrating a campaign to obtain confidential information about the tech giant's unreleased products.

According to the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Apple alleges that OpenAI encouraged current and former Apple employees to disclose sensitive details, including product designs, engineering documents, components, and other proprietary materials related to future devices.

Tang Tan, who previously served as Apple's vice president of product design and played a key role in developing products such as the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, is accused of asking employees about unreleased Apple products during job interviews after joining OpenAI.

The lawsuit also names former Apple hardware engineer Chang Liu, alleging that he improperly accessed and retained dozens of confidential Apple files before joining OpenAI. Apple claims the files included detailed engineering documents, presentations, and technical information related to products that have not yet been announced.

Apple further alleges that OpenAI coached departing employees on how to preserve access to confidential company information, allowing valuable trade secrets to be taken outside the organisation.

Responding to the allegations, OpenAI denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and remains focused on developing innovative AI technologies.

The legal dispute comes despite years of collaboration between the two companies, with OpenAI providing key AI technology for Apple's Apple Intelligence platform and enhancements to the Siri digital assistant. Relations between the firms reportedly became strained after OpenAI recruited former Apple design chief Jony Ive to work on future AI-powered hardware projects.

According to the lawsuit, OpenAI has hired around 400 former Apple employees in recent months, ahead of its anticipated initial public offering (IPO).

Apple claims that OpenAI engaged in a systematic effort to acquire its confidential information through employees at multiple levels, including senior leadership. The company has asked the court to order OpenAI to destroy any Apple proprietary materials in its possession and ensure that any future products are redesigned without using technology derived from Apple's trade secrets.
 

With inputs from IANS