Overview
- Apple filed a 41-page federal trade-secrets complaint on July 10 accusing OpenAI and its io subsidiary of running a coordinated push to recruit former Apple staff and obtain confidential hardware files.
- The suit names OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan and former engineer Chang Liu and alleges more than 400 ex-Apple employees now work at OpenAI with some reportedly retaining devices and downloading sensitive designs.
- OpenAI said it is not aware of evidence supporting the complaint, while Apple has issued preservation notices to dozens of OpenAI employees and is seeking injunctive and preservation remedies though no court order has been reported.
- Jony Ive, whose io startup was bought by OpenAI in May 2025, is not named in the filing and analysts say that reflects either a lack of evidence tying him to the recruiting or a deliberate move to avoid damaging relationships.
- Legal and market experts say discovery could compel hiring records, communications and supplier documents, which may delay or constrain OpenAI’s product work and affect near-term financing or IPO timing if remedies follow.