Apple Sues OpenAI, Alleging Systematic Theft of Trade Secrets for Its AI Hardware Push

Apple filed suit against OpenAI on July 10, 2026, accusing the AI company of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to steal designs, manufacturing processes, supplier information and prototypes tied to Apple's unreleased products. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, also names OpenAI's hardware subsidiary io Products and two former Apple employees, Tang Tan—now OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer—and Chang Liu, as defendants.