Apple sues OpenAI, alleging theft of trade secrets by former staff
Image: BBC News
Two of the most valuable companies on the planet are now courtroom rivals — and the fight is over secrets, not smartphones.
Apple filed a federal lawsuit on Friday accusing OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, of gaining access to its confidential product plans through former Apple employees who jumped ship. The complaint names OpenAI, two of its workers and io Products, alleging a "pattern of theft" of internal development work.
At the heart of the claim are long-time Apple staff who, before leaving for OpenAI, allegedly emailed themselves sensitive internal information. Apple says it has "significant evidence" to back the suit.
OpenAI dismissed the allegations. "We have no interest in other companies' trade secrets," a spokesman told the BBC, saying the company is focused on building technology that "empowers people everywhere."
The clash marks a stunning reversal. Just months ago, Apple's outgoing CEO Tim Cook had woven ChatGPT directly into iPhones, and OpenAI chief Sam Altman publicly called Cook "a legend." Now the partnership's foundations look shaky — Apple has already begun shifting some AI features to Google's Gemini model.
The lawsuit could reshape how talent moves between AI rivals and what companies can legally take when they walk out the door. For users, it is a reminder that the AI boom is as much about locked-down secrets as open innovation.