Apple says its trade secrets investigation into OpenAI has widened with new court filing
In a new August 4, 2026 court filing, Apple claims additional former employees may
In a significant escalation of its legal battle with OpenAI, Apple filed new court documents on Friday revealing that its trade secrets investigation has uncovered 11 additional former Apple employees beyond the two originally named in the lawsuit. The iPhone maker is seeking expedited discovery and a preliminary injunction to prevent OpenAI from developing AI hardware products based on Apple's proprietary technology.
Apple's legal team argues that the scope of alleged misconduct extends far beyond the initial complaint, with evidence suggesting a more systematic effort to acquire Apple's confidential information about unreleased technologies, product designs, and manufacturing processes.
The widening investigation: new witnesses and suspects named
The new court filing requests expedited discovery from several targets: OpenAI employees Chang Liu (senior systems engineer) and Tang Yew Tan (Chief Hardware Officer), the AI company itself, its foundation, and io—the device startup co-founded by Apple's former lead designer Jony Ive.
According to documents obtained by TechCrunch, Apple's investigation has so far identified numerous instances of potential wrongdoing:
- One former Apple employee allegedly met with Mr. Liu and OpenAI employee Yu-Ting Peng before Ms. Peng's interview at OpenAI, discussing Apple proprietary information related to unannounced products
- Another former employee took screenshots of confidential Apple documents relating to an unannounced product before their interview at OpenAI
- Multiple former Apple employees now working at OpenAI reached out to discuss returning Apple-issued work devices they had kept after leaving the company
Apple's spokesperson stated: "Recently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple's secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes and products." The company emphasized that protecting intellectual property is something Apple takes very seriously.
Apple's legal demands: injunction and damages sought
The core of Apple's lawsuit centers on preventing OpenAI from developing hardware products that rely on allegedly misappropriated trade secrets. This represents a sharp pivot for both companies, which had announced a major partnership in 2024 involving the integration of ChatGPT into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
However, when Apple showcased its revamped Siri voice assistant last month, the AI component was based on Google's Gemini model rather than OpenAI's technology—a move that underscored growing tensions between the tech giants.
Apple is seeking:
- A preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from developing or possessing products based on Apple's trade secrets
- Expedited discovery to investigate the full scope of the alleged theft
- Damages for losses suffered due to the misappropriation
The filing suggests Apple believes it has good cause to suspect ongoing involvement from additional individuals, justifying the urgent need for expanded discovery.
OpenAI's rebuttal: calling claims false and unnecessary
OpenAI responded swiftly to Apple's latest filing with a public blog post dismissing the company's requests as "based on false information and completely unnecessary." The AI model maker argued that it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets and remains focused on building innovative technology.
"We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets," said Drew Pusateri, an OpenAI spokesperson. "We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere."
OpenAI's response also highlighted several points it claims undermine Apple's case:
- Apple initially contacted the wrong person after confusing two similar surnames
- There were questions about whether Apple properly discussed matters with its general counsel
- OpenAI disputes Apple's characterization of "residual access" for former employees as evidence of poor security procedures
The AI hardware race and broader context
This dispute emerges against a backdrop of intense competition in the AI chip space. OpenAI has been making significant investments in hardware capabilities, spending $6.4 billion to acquire io Products—the startup founded by Jony Ive after his departure from Apple. This acquisition signaled OpenAI's serious intent to enter the hardware market, moving beyond pure software and model development.
The lawsuit also implicates a wider network of potential participants. With 11 additional former employees under investigation, the case could reveal complex relationships between individuals who moved between Apple and other AI companies—a dynamic that has become increasingly common in the competitive AI landscape.
For investors and industry observers watching the ai developer tools startups india investments space, this legal battle highlights critical questions about intellectual property protection, employee mobility, and the risks inherent in building AI hardware infrastructure. The outcome could set important precedents for how trade secrets are protected in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
Key figures at center of dispute
The lawsuit names several key individuals:
- Tang Yew Tan – OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer and former Apple vice-president, accused of taking supplier information to OpenAI and encouraging interviewees to divulge confidential company data
- Chang Liu – Senior systems engineer at OpenAI who was hired from Apple, allegedly using an authentication bug to download "dozens of Apple's confidential hardware-related files"
- Yu-Ting Peng – OpenAI employee previously named in the original complaint
- Jony Ive – Apple's former lead designer whose startup io Products is also targeted for discovery
As Apple pushes forward with its investigation, both companies face a critical legal battle that could reshape how AI competitors navigate intellectual property concerns. The court's decision on the preliminary injunction will be closely watched by the entire tech industry.
