Apple has sued OpenAI and two former Apple employees, alleging that OpenAI used current and former staff to steal trade secrets related to hardware designs. The clash comes as OpenAI prepares to launch its own AI-focused devices.
Legal Filing · Apple v. OpenAI
Apple sues OpenAI over alleged theft of hardware trade secrets
Apple alleges current and former staff exploited security flaws to steal confidential hardware files and feed insider knowledge to OpenAI — as the AI firm races toward its own device launch. It is seeking damages and an injunction.
1,000+
Pages of confidential hardware & technical files allegedly downloaded
20+
Apple staff who moved to OpenAI in 2025 (wearables, UI, camera, audio)
$6.5B
OpenAI's 2025 acquisition of io Products, founded by Jony Ive
OpenAI's hardware roadmap
Smart-speaker–focused, camera-equipped · development team of 200+
Late 2026
First device reveal
Feb 2027
Expected shipping start
2028
Smart glasses mass production considered
Estimated price:
around $200–300 per device
How the clash unfolded
2024
Partnership: ChatGPT into iPhone; Siri via Apple Intelligence
→
2025
OpenAI buys io Products; absorbs Apple talent & manufacturing partners
→
Now
Apple files suit over alleged trade-secret theft, seeks injunction
Notably, the ChatGPT integration in Apple Intelligence is reportedly being maintained.
INDUSTRY VIEW · Commonplace
Some see talent competition as normal and a driver of innovation across the sector.
CRITICAL VIEW · Serious
Others warn that leaking secrets via former employees, if proven, is a grave ethical and legal matter.
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