Apple Sues OpenAI Over Trade Secret Theft and Stolen AI Hardware Designs

The complaint, filed in a California federal court, alleges that OpenAI and two former Apple executives misappropriated proprietary designs for custom chips and thermal management systems used in Apple's AI accessories. These documents were allegedly transferred to OpenAI's servers shortly before the executives resigned in 2023.

Apple claims the stolen materials included blueprints for a low-power neural engine and a specialized memory architecture, which OpenAI incorporated into its own device prototypes. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a court order barring OpenAI from using the disputed technology.

The two executives, who are named as defendants, had signed non-disclosure agreements and were part of Apple's top-secret hardware division. Apple says they were recruited by OpenAI with offers of equity and leadership roles, a pattern it describes as a 'systematic effort to strip Apple of its research investments.'

OpenAI has not yet filed a response. Legal experts say the case could hinge on whether the specifications qualify as trade secrets, given that some details were published in academic papers. Apple contends that the specific implementations and optimizations remain confidential.

A hearing on Apple's request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for next month. If granted, OpenAI would be required to halt development of the disputed components until the case is resolved.