Apple Accuses OpenAI of Systematic Hardware Trade Secret Theft

The lawsuit centers on a group of high-profile transfers, including former Apple executive Tang Tan and engineer Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI earlier this year. Apple’s complaint highlights the 2025 acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup, IO Products, as a primary vector for the alleged misappropriation. According to the filing, Liu continued to access Apple’s secure systems after his departure, downloading extensive documentation on proprietary hardware projects and unreleased technical designs.

Evidence presented by Apple suggests a coordinated effort to bypass internal security protocols. Liu allegedly coached a departing colleague on how to exfiltrate confidential files without triggering internal alarms, explicitly recommending the use of encrypted platforms like Line Messenger to evade detection. Apple maintains that these actions represent a direct threat to its innovation pipeline and has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to secure its intellectual property.