OpenAI has issued a formal statement in response to Apple's lawsuit accusing the company of trade secret theft. The statement, released via social media, forcefully denies the allegations and asserts that OpenAI has no interest in the confidential information of other companies.
Earlier today, Apple filed a lawsuit in federal court against former employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan, as well as OpenAI and its hardware partner io Products, alleging "trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract." The complaint, which spans dozens of pages, details what Apple describes as a coordinated effort to steal proprietary hardware designs and manufacturing processes.
According to Apple's filing, the defendants accessed Apple's secure systems without authorization, downloaded confidential files, and used that information to fast-track OpenAI's nascent consumer hardware division. Apple claims that the misconduct was not limited to the named employees but was "normalized and exemplified by leadership" at OpenAI. The company further alleges that job candidates were encouraged to bring Apple prototypes and components to interviews, and that defendants disclosed details about unreleased products and manufacturing workflows to OpenAI engineers.
Apple's lawsuit specifically names Chang Liu, a former hardware engineer who worked on iPhone and Mac components, and Tang Tan, a former Apple vice president of hardware engineering. Both individuals are accused of leveraging their insider knowledge to help OpenAI develop competing smart devices and wearables. The complaint also seeks to hold OpenAI and io Products liable for unjust enrichment and conspiracy.
In response, OpenAI's Director of Strategic Communications, Drew Pusateri, posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter). "Our statement in response to this suit: We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere," he wrote. The statement was accompanied by a link to Apple's original complaint, indicating OpenAI's willingness to engage publicly on the matter.
This legal battle is the latest in a series of high-profile disputes between Apple and former employees who have moved to competing firms. Apple has long maintained a strict policy on trade secret protection, requiring employees to sign nondisclosure agreements and submitting to regular audits. However, the case is notable for directly naming OpenAI—a company that has rapidly become a central player in the artificial intelligence industry—and its hardware collaboration with Jony Ive's io Products.
The partnership between OpenAI and io Products was announced in early 2025, with the goal of creating a new category of AI-powered consumer hardware. Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind the iPhone and MacBook, left Apple in 2019 to found LoveFrom, which later evolved into io Products. The venture attracted significant attention due to Ive's history at Apple and the promise of innovative devices that integrate OpenAI's language models. However, the project has faced multiple legal hurdles since its inception.
In 2025, hardware startup iyO initially sued OpenAI and io Products over branding, claiming that the name "io Products" infringed on its trademark. The lawsuit was amended in March 2026 to include allegations of trade secret misappropriation, specifically naming Tang Tan as a defendant. The amended complaint alleged that a former iyO engineer downloaded confidential files and provided them to the former Apple executive. OpenAI has consistently denied those allegations as well.
The overlapping lawsuits highlight the increasingly competitive landscape of consumer hardware, where companies are racing to build the next generation of smart devices powered by artificial intelligence. Apple's proprietary technologies, including its silicon chips, camera systems, and manufacturing methods, are considered critical advantages in this race. Any leak of such information could potentially erode Apple's market position.
Industry analysts have noted that the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for talent mobility and intellectual property protection in the tech sector. If Apple succeeds in proving its claims, it could set a precedent that discourages executives and engineers from moving to startups in similar domains. On the other hand, a strong defense by OpenAI might encourage more aggressive talent poaching and cross-pollination of ideas.
OpenAI's response, while brief, underscores its strategy of distancing itself from the alleged misconduct while maintaining that the company is not involved in industrial espionage. The company has also pointed out that it has its own robust intellectual property portfolio, built through years of research and development in artificial intelligence. "We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets," the statement reiterated, signaling that OpenAI believes it can innovate without relying on stolen information.
The lawsuit also raises questions about the relationship between Apple and Jony Ive. Ive's departure from Apple was amicable, and he continued to work with Apple on certain projects under a consulting agreement. However, his involvement with a company now accused of stealing Apple's secrets may strain ties. Apple has not commented on Ive's role in the current dispute, but the complaint references communications between Ive's firm and the defendants.
As the case proceeds, both Apple and OpenAI are preparing for a lengthy legal battle. Apple is seeking damages, an injunction preventing the use of its trade secrets, and the return of all allegedly stolen materials. OpenAI, meanwhile, has vowed to fight the allegations vigorously and has retained prominent legal counsel. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for August 2026.
For now, the public record remains dominated by dueling press releases and social media statements. The full scope of the evidence—including emails, internal communications, and forensic analyses of computer systems—will be examined in discovery. Until then, the tech world watches closely, aware that the outcome could reshape the boundaries of competition in the age of artificial intelligence.
Source:9to5Mac News