Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, two of its former employees, and io Products, alleging systematic theft of confidential product development and internal work.
The complaint accuses OpenAI of employing strategies to extract Apple’s proprietary knowledge, including former staff who allegedly shared sensitive information via email prior to joining OpenAI.
According to the lawsuit, OpenAI’s actions involved stealing “confidential product development plans, trusted partner relationships, proprietary manufacturing techniques, and unreleased products,” which Apple claims undermines its hardware innovations.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri stated the company has no interest in trade secrets and is focused on creating “innovative technology that empowers people.”
Apple seeks to prevent further use of alleged stolen data and demands unspecified financial compensation, arguing OpenAI’s leadership “normalized” misconduct and now relies on illegally obtained information for its upcoming hardware ventures, including an AI keyboard product.
