Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade Secret Theft by Former Employees

According to Fortune, Apple filed a 41-page complaint last week alleging that OpenAI systematically stole trade secrets through multiple former Apple employees. The lawsuit names two defendants: Liu Chang, a former senior systems electrical engineer at Apple who joined OpenAI in January after eight years at Apple, and Tan Tang Yao, a product design executive who served Apple for nearly 25 years before departing in March 2024.

Apple alleges Liu Chang failed to return company equipment upon departure and continued communicating with current Apple employee Peng Yuting, who allegedly disclosed internal project details and later joined OpenAI. According to the complaint, Liu Chang accessed Apple's internal systems using Peng's credentials and downloaded dozens of confidential hardware development documents. The lawsuit also charges that Tan Tang Yao conducted interviews with prospective Apple employees, deliberately mentioning internal project codenames to elicit classified information, and advised candidates to delay resignation announcements. Apple estimates approximately 400 former employees have been recruited by OpenAI. OpenAI stated it has no intent to steal trade secrets and is reviewing the complaint.