New Delhi, July 11: Tech giant Apple has taken significant legal action against AI company OpenAI and its hardware chief. Apple alleges that OpenAI has systematically attempted to acquire confidential information, designs, and technical documents related to its upcoming products.
According to media reports, Apple filed the lawsuit in California’s Northern District Court. The company claims that OpenAI’s Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, encouraged Apple employees during job interviews to share information about the company’s forthcoming products, components, drawings, and other confidential materials.
Tang Tan previously served as Vice President of Product Design at Apple, leading the development of the iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, and several other hardware products.
The lawsuit also names former iPhone hardware engineer Chang Liu. Apple alleges that Liu unlawfully accessed dozens of its confidential hardware files while developing hardware for OpenAI. These files reportedly contained detailed technical information and engineering presentations related to unreleased products.
Apple further claims that OpenAI advised several employees to take steps to retain access to confidential files when leaving the company.
However, OpenAI has dismissed all allegations, stating that it has no interest in another company’s trade secrets and is focused on developing new technologies to empower people worldwide.
In recent years, Apple and OpenAI have maintained a close partnership. OpenAI has provided crucial technology for Apple’s intelligence platform and Siri digital assistant. However, tensions have escalated between the two companies over the past year, partly due to OpenAI’s recruitment of Apple’s former design chief, Jony Ive, for new device development.
In its lawsuit, Apple also claims that OpenAI recruited around 400 of its employees just months before its proposed IPO. Apple alleges that OpenAI, in collaboration with its business associates, has attempted to acquire its trade secrets and confidential information at every level, from technical staff to the Chief Hardware Officer.
Apple is seeking a court order requiring OpenAI to destroy all proprietary confidential documents and materials, as well as to redesign its upcoming products by removing the allegedly copied technology.
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