Apple has launched a legal battle against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence firm and two former Apple employees of misappropriating trade secrets. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, alleges that the defendants utilized Apple’s confidential information to support OpenAI’s expansion into the consumer hardware market.
The legal action targets the OpenAI Foundation, OpenAI Group PBC, and io Products, alongside two individuals who previously held senior roles at Apple: a former senior system electrical engineer and a former vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch. According to the 41-page complaint, Apple asserts that the theft was systemic, stating, “At every level, from members of its Technical Staff to its Chief Hardware Officer, and in coordination with business partners, OpenAI has been stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information.”
The filing claims that one of the former employees engaged in unauthorized activity by emailing himself internal industry summaries and data regarding Apple suppliers before leaving the company. Apple explicitly stated the purpose of the litigation, noting, “This case is about Apple’s former employees stealing Apple’s trade secrets for the benefit of OpenAI. Apple brings this suit to put a stop to it.”
OpenAI, which is currently seeking to move beyond its traditional software focus, acquired the hardware startup io Products last year. The startup was founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive. While OpenAI has not provided specific details regarding the devices it is developing, the company has described its hardware efforts as an attempt to discover new methods for users to interact with AI that transcend traditional product interfaces.
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