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Apple Sues OpenAI Over Trade Secrets

WireByte Staff · August 4, 2026

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets by two former employees who joined the ChatGPT-maker. OpenAI has responded with a public blog post, challenging Apple's claims and sharing internal communications. The case is ongoing, with Apple seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent further access to confidential information.

Key points

  • Apple sued OpenAI and two former employees, Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets.
  • The two former employees, now working for OpenAI, allegedly took confidential information regarding unreleased Apple technologies, processes, and products.
  • OpenAI has responded with a public blog post, challenging Apple's claims and sharing internal communications.
  • Apple has asked a US judge for a preliminary injunction to prevent Liu, Tan, and OpenAI from accessing, acquiring, using or disclosing alleged confidential information.
  • The lawsuit revolves around Apple's concerns over OpenAI's foray into consumer hardware, with Apple alleging that the former employees used their knowledge to benefit OpenAI's hardware plans.

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the maker of the popular ChatGPT chatbot, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets by two former employees. The lawsuit, filed in a US court, claims that Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, who joined OpenAI after leaving Apple, took confidential information regarding unreleased Apple technologies, processes, and products.

OpenAI has responded to the lawsuit with a public blog post, challenging Apple's claims and sharing internal communications. In the post, OpenAI argues that Apple's lawsuit is 'careless, aggressive, and oddly personal,' and that the company is trying to silence its former employees.

The lawsuit has sparked a heated debate between the two tech giants, with Apple seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Liu, Tan, and OpenAI from accessing, acquiring, using or disclosing alleged confidential information. The case is ongoing, and its outcome will have significant implications for the tech industry.

The lawsuit revolves around Apple's concerns over OpenAI's foray into consumer hardware, with Apple alleging that the former employees used their knowledge to benefit OpenAI's hardware plans. OpenAI has denied these allegations, and the company's blog post has sparked a public debate over the issue.

The case highlights the growing tensions between tech giants, with companies increasingly competing for talent and intellectual property. The outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for the tech industry, and will likely set a precedent for future cases involving trade secrets and intellectual property.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.