Apple sues OpenAI in Northern California federal court for trade secret theft; alleges hardware chief Tang Tan directed Apple employees to share secrets, coached departing staff to evade security, stole laptop and proprietary metal finishing technique for unreleased consumer hardware development.

Apple sues OpenAI alleging trade secret theft, says scheme was 'at every level'

Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI Inc., left, and Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., during a dinner with tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. US President Donald Trump said he would be imposing tariffs on semiconductor imports "very shortly" but spare goods from companies like Apple Inc. that have pledged to boost their US investments. Photographer: Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesWill Oli...