Apple sues OpenAI for allegedly running a "coordinated campaign" to steal trade secrets through poached employees

Jul 11, 2026

Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of systematically poaching employees and stealing trade secrets related to unreleased products. The complaint claims that more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, including former iPhone design chief Tang Tan. The lawsuit comes as OpenAI is building its own hardware division, with its first product not expected to ship until at least 2027.

Why it matters: This lawsuit could impact the competitive landscape in AI hardware and set a precedent for employee poaching and trade secret disputes in the tech industry.

Full story at: The Decoder ↗