Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging that former employees stole hardware trade secrets to aid the artificial intelligence firm. The complaint identifies IO Products, the hardware startup founded by Jony Ive and acquired by OpenAI in 2025, as a key defendant alongside Tang Tan and Chang Liu. Both Tan and Liu joined OpenAI after leaving Apple, with Liu arriving in January. The legal document claims a pattern of theft occurred for the benefit of the AI company, though specific details of the alleged misappropriation are not yet fully public.
This litigation highlights the growing tension between hardware design and artificial intelligence development as companies compete for talent. It also signals that OpenAI is expanding its focus beyond software into physical computing, potentially using Apple’s proprietary engineering as a foundation. The case could set a precedent for how intellectual property is protected when large technology firms acquire smaller hardware specialists.
- IO Products was bought by OpenAI in 2025
- Tang Tan and Chang Liu are named as defendants
- The suit was filed in the United States
