{"id":2628108,"date":"2026-07-10T17:10:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T21:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/apple-sues-openai-over-pervasive-theft-of-trade-secrets\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T17:11:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T21:11:50","slug":"apple-sues-openai-over-pervasive-theft-of-trade-secrets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/apple-sues-openai-over-pervasive-theft-of-trade-secrets\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple sues OpenAI over &#8216;pervasive&#8217; theft of trade secrets"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fapple-sues-openai-over-pervasive-theft-of-trade-secrets%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2628108&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chinese-national-accused-of-selling-cancer-research-to-communist-nation\/\" title=\"Chinese National Accused of Selling Cancer Research to Communist Nation\">trade secrets related<\/a> too <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/death-from-above\/\" title=\"Death From Above\">artificial intelligence technology<\/a>. The complaint, lodged in California, alleges that OpenAI misappropriated confidential information and hired former Apple employees who breached their confidentiality agreements. Notably, one accused individual, Chang Liu, used a company laptop to access unreleased product details and advised colleagues on bypassing Apple\u2019s security. The lawsuit also claims that OpenAI coached Apple staff on avoiding scrutiny during their exit processes and attempted to recruit employees by asking about unreleased Apple products. Apple seeks injunctions to prevent further theft and damages, emphasizing its commitment to protecting its innovations. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/finlands-top-court-to-rule-on-whether-quoting-bible-is-a-crime\/\" title=\"Finland&#039;s Top Court To Rule On Whether Quoting Bible Is A Crime\">case highlights broader tensions<\/a>, as Apple and OpenAI are already under antitrust scrutiny, with concerns about AI competition and partnership influences.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/apple\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"717\">Apple<\/a> filed a lawsuit accusing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/openai\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11146\">OpenAI<\/a> of stealing its trade secrets on Friday, namely, proprietary information that could be used to benefit the top <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/artificial-intelligence\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1658\">artificial intelligence<\/a> firm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The civil complaint, filed in the Northern District of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"60\">California<\/a>, alleges that OpenAI \u201cturned to trade secret misappropriation to free-ride off Apple\u2019s decades of innovation\u201d and poached two former Apple employees who breached Apple\u2019s Intellectual Property Agreement.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4644260\/apple-sue-openai-theft-trade-secret\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Apple sues OpenAI over \u2018pervasive\u2019 theft of trade secrets<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4644029\/judge-blocks-tyler-robinson-hearing-exhibits-broadcast-confession-letter-error\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge blocks Tyler Robinson hearing exhibits from broadcast after confession letter error<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4644026\/appeals-court-blocks-release-biden-hur-interview-tapes\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court temporarily blocks release of Biden-Hur interview tapes<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apple is concerned that OpenAI used the stolen confidential information to \u201cjumpstart its hardware efforts,\u201d per the 41-page lawsuit.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAt Apple, our teams are constantly developing breakthrough technologies to create the best products and services in the world, and protecting their work and intellectual property is something we take very seriously,\u201d an Apple spokesperson said in a statement provided to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRecently, significant evidence has emerged suggesting individuals employed by OpenAI wrongfully took Apple\u2019s secret and confidential information regarding our unreleased technologies, processes, and products,\u201d the spokesperson added. \u201cWe will always defend our teams\u2019 hard work and innovations, and we are taking all appropriate steps to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apple is requesting a preliminary and permanent injunction to stop the theft and force OpenAI to return confidential information on the technology giant\u2019s unreleased products and components. The plaintiff is also seeking an unspecified amount of damages pending trial.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two individual defendants listed in the complaint, Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, allegedly committed \u201cwrongful acts\u201d within the Northern District of California. The headquarters of Apple and OpenAI fall under the federal district.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liu, once a senior electrical system engineer for Apple, is accused of using a company-issued work laptop to access confidential files that included \u201cvoluminous, detailed information about unreleased products, engineering presentations, technical specifications, and proprietary project data,\u201d according to the court document.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, Liu coached his former Apple co-worker, whom he was trying to recruit for OpenAI, on how to bypass Apple\u2019s security processes while copying confidential files. He also advised the colleague on how to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >answer job interview questions<\/a> about Apple technology. That colleague is named Yu-Ting Peng, but she is not listed as one of the defendants.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOpenAI has actively coached Apple employees on how to manage their exits from Apple in ways that avoid scrutiny,\u201d the lawsuit reads. \u201cThis helps OpenAI\u2019s new hires evade Apple\u2019s security procedures and reduce the chance that their confidentiality violations and trade secret theft would be detected.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For his part in the alleged misconduct, Tan asked job candidates about unannounced Apple products and instructed them to bring in parts from the tech company for \u201cshow and tell\u201d sessions. At least one of the candidates was surprised by the request, per the complaint. The executive also told new hires to refrain from telling Apple about their OpenAI jobs, so that \u201cthey can stay at Apple as long as they can.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Apple, Tan served as vice president of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch before joining OpenAI as its chief hardware officer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discovery process will be used to uncover evidence of the trade secret misappropriations \u201cto the extent [the defendants] have not concealed or destroyed\u201d the evidence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cApple does not bring this action lightly,\u201d the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/psaki-dodges-on-durham-directs-questions-to-doj\/\" title=\"Psaki Dodges On Durham, Directs Questions To DOJ\">court filing reads<\/a>. \u201cApple operates in the most competitive markets in the world and focuses on creating and shipping the very best products and services that embody its innovations. But it cannot tolerate the theft of its trade secrets. In light of the troubling evidence it has seen so far, Apple is left with no choice. This lawsuit and the discovery process are needed to expose and begin to remedy the pervasive theft of Apple\u2019s trade secrets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4628419\/aoc-break-up-tech-giants-apple-hikes-prices\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4628419\/aoc-break-up-tech-giants-apple-hikes-prices\/\">AOC WANTS TO \u2018BREAK UP\u2019 TECH GIANTS AFTER APPLE HIKES PRICES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, Apple has integrated OpenAI\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/chatgpt\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11145\">ChatGPT<\/a> into its operating systems for iPhones, iPads, and Macs. OpenAI was reportedly considering suing Apple back in May over its strained partnership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, both Apple and OpenAI are the subjects of an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/antitrust\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1187\">antitrust<\/a> lawsuit filed by <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1412\">Elon Musk\u2019s<\/a> X Corp. and xAI last year. The latter business merged with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spacex\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"3290\">SpaceX<\/a> earlier this year, and the combined entity rebranded itself as SpaceXAI this week. Musk accused Apple and OpenAI of suppressing generative AI competition through their partnership and manipulating App Store rankings of AI chatbot competitors, such as SpaceXAI\u2019s Grok model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apple sues OpenAI over trade secret theft allegations<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2628109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP25237620518836.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50972,45730,4585,20164,81226],"class_list":["post-2628108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-apple-2","tag-intellectual-property","tag-lawsuit","tag-openai","tag-trade-secrets"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP25237620518836.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2628108"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2628112,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2628108\/revisions\/2628112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2628109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2628108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2628108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2628108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}