Apple sues OpenAI, ex-employees over trade secrets theft

12-Jul-2026

.

Apple has sued OpenAI, its commercial arm, the OpenAI Foundation, io Products, and two former employees, alleging they misappropriated the iPhone maker's trade secrets to accelerate OpenAI's expansion into consumer hardware.

The lawsuit, filed on July 10 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses OpenAI of orchestrating a broad effort to systematically acquire and exploit Apple's confidential information through former employees, recruiting practices, and supplier relationships.

OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.