What is Apple accusing OpenAI of?

Apple's complaint accuses OpenAI, its io Products hardware unit, and two former Apple staff of misappropriating Apple trade secrets tied to unreleased hardware. Apple says the alleged theft covered engineering presentations, circuit-board manufacturing specs, and proprietary Apple design and finishing techniques used to develop OpenAI's own consumer AI devices.

Who are Tang Tan and Chang Liu?

Tang Tan is a former Apple VP of product design who is now OpenAI's chief hardware officer at io Products. Chang Liu spent eight years at Apple as a senior systems electrical engineer before leaving for OpenAI in 2026. Apple's complaint names both as central actors, alleging they carried Apple materials and codenames into OpenAI's hiring pipeline.

Is there an injunction against OpenAI yet?

No. Apple has asked the court for an injunction barring OpenAI from using or disclosing the alleged trade secrets, plus an order to return confidential documents and preserve evidence. As of the July 10 filing, no injunction has been granted; the requests still need to be argued before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

How does this connect to Jony Ive and io Products?

OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's io startup for $6.5 billion in 2025 to lead its consumer AI hardware push. Apple's complaint centers on that hardware effort: the accused ex-Apple employees now work at io Products, and the alleged trade-secret targets — circuit boards, industrial design details, metal-finishing techniques — sit squarely inside io's roadmap.

How has OpenAI responded?

OpenAI has denied the allegations. In statements to reporters, the company said: "We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere." OpenAI has not yet filed a formal response in the Northern California case.

Apple · 2026-07-10 · major

Apple sues OpenAI — trade-secret suit names io Products and two ex-Apple execs

Apple filed in Northern California federal court on July 10, accusing OpenAI, io Products, and two ex-Apple staff of stealing hardware trade secrets to build OpenAI's upcoming AI devices.

Tim Cook and Sam Altman side-by-side portrait used on TechCrunch coverage of Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI. — Getty Images via TechCrunch

Apple takes OpenAI to court over alleged trade-secret theft tied to Jony Ive's hardware team.

Quick facts

Plaintiff	Apple Inc.
Defendants	OpenAI, io Products, Tang Tan, Chang Liu
Court	U.S. District Court, N.D. California
Filed	July 10, 2026
Relief sought	Damages, injunction, return of materials
Injunction status	Requested, not granted

What is it?

Apple's civil complaint, filed July 10, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses OpenAI and its io Products hardware unit of coordinating the theft of Apple trade secrets. Two named ex-Apple engineers now at OpenAI — former VP of product design Tang Tan and former senior electrical engineer Chang Liu — are alleged to have brought Apple files and codenames into OpenAI hiring and interview processes.

How does it work?

The complaint says Tang Tan used Apple project codenames during OpenAI recruiting and asked candidates to bring physical Apple hardware and confidential design files to "show and tell" interviews. Chang Liu allegedly failed to return an Apple-issued laptop after leaving in 2026 and used it to download over 1,000 pages of engineering documents, including circuit-board manufacturing specs. Apple further claims OpenAI misled a supplier into performing a proprietary metal-finishing technique invented by Apple.

Why does it matter?

The lawsuit puts OpenAI's push into consumer hardware — anchored by the 2025 $6.5B acquisition of Jony Ive's io — under legal scrutiny at the trade-secret level. Apple wants damages, an injunction against further use or disclosure, return of confidential materials, and evidence preservation. If granted, the injunction could delay or reshape OpenAI's smartphone and smart-speaker roadmap, which press reporting has pegged for 2028 and beyond.

Who is it for?

OpenAI hardware watchers, AI industry followers, io Products partners

Frequently asked questions

What is Apple accusing OpenAI of?: Apple's complaint accuses OpenAI, its io Products hardware unit, and two former Apple staff of misappropriating Apple trade secrets tied to unreleased hardware. Apple says the alleged theft covered engineering presentations, circuit-board manufacturing specs, and proprietary Apple design and finishing techniques used to develop OpenAI's own consumer AI devices.
Who are Tang Tan and Chang Liu?: Tang Tan is a former Apple VP of product design who is now OpenAI's chief hardware officer at io Products. Chang Liu spent eight years at Apple as a senior systems electrical engineer before leaving for OpenAI in 2026. Apple's complaint names both as central actors, alleging they carried Apple materials and codenames into OpenAI's hiring pipeline.
Is there an injunction against OpenAI yet?: No. Apple has asked the court for an injunction barring OpenAI from using or disclosing the alleged trade secrets, plus an order to return confidential documents and preserve evidence. As of the July 10 filing, no injunction has been granted; the requests still need to be argued before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
How does this connect to Jony Ive and io Products?: OpenAI acquired Jony Ive's io startup for $6.5 billion in 2025 to lead its consumer AI hardware push. Apple's complaint centers on that hardware effort: the accused ex-Apple employees now work at io Products, and the alleged trade-secret targets — circuit boards, industrial design details, metal-finishing techniques — sit squarely inside io's roadmap.
How has OpenAI responded?: OpenAI has denied the allegations. In statements to reporters, the company said: "We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets. We remain focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere." OpenAI has not yet filed a formal response in the Northern California case.