{"data":{"id":1986,"lang":"en","title":"Apple Sues OpenAI, Alleges \"Coordinated\" Theft of Trade Secrets by Ex-Employees","summary":"Apple accuses OpenAI and two named ex-Apple employees of a coordinated scheme to steal hardware trade secrets ahead of OpenAI's push into consumer devices.","category":"ai","category_label":"AI","published_at":"2026-07-11T10:01:26Z","updated_at":"2026-07-11T10:01:26Z","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/1986-apple-sues-openai-alleges-coordinated-theft-of-trade-secrets-by-ex-employees","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/news-api/v1/articles/1986?lang=en","markdown_url":"https://techtools.cz/news-api/v1/articles/1986.md?lang=en","image_url":"https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/tim-cook-sam-altman-GettyImages-2233062347.jpg?w=1024","word_count":202,"reading_time_minutes":2,"sources":[{"url":"https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/10/apple-sues-openai-over-alleged-trade-secret-theft/","domain":"techcrunch.com"},{"url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/10/apple-openai-lawsuit-trade-secrets.html","domain":"cnbc.com"}],"translation":{"lang":"cs","id":2059,"title":"Apple žaluje OpenAI kvůli údajné „koordinované“ krádeži obchodních tajemství bývalými zaměstnanci","url":"https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/2059-apple-zaluje-openai-kvuli-udajne-koordinovane-kradezi-obchodnich-tajemstvi","api_url":"https://techtools.cz/news-api/v1/articles/2059?lang=cs"},"content":"Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing the AI company of a coordinated scheme to steal trade secrets tied to Apple's unreleased hardware. The complaint names OpenAI itself along with Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, a former Apple executive who led iPhone and Apple Watch design, and Chang Liu, a former senior Apple electrical engineer.\n\nApple alleges the misconduct reached \"every level\" of OpenAI, claiming Tan used Apple's internal project code names while recruiting, asked candidates to bring physical Apple hardware components to job interviews, and coached departing staff on how to evade Apple's security procedures. The suit also accuses Liu of downloading confidential technical documents onto an Apple-issued laptop and misappropriating proprietary metal-finishing techniques. Apple says it sent OpenAI a cease-and-desist letter in February 2026 that went unanswered before it filed suit.\n\nOpenAI denied wrongdoing, saying it has \"no interest in other companies' trade secrets\" and remains focused on \"building innovative technology.\" The case marks a sharp reversal for two companies that partnered closely in 2024, and lands as OpenAI pushes deeper into consumer hardware through io Products, the venture co-founded with former Apple design chief Jony Ive."}}