Share to ClassroomApple Sues OpenAI Over Trade Secrets
Apple has taken OpenAI to court. OpenAI is the company that made the chatbot ChatGPT. Apple says OpenAI stole its trade secrets. Trade secrets are private company information, such as product designs and supplier details, that give a business an advantage. Apple also blames two former workers, Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan, who now work at OpenAI. Apple says they took secret files when they left.
The two companies were partners not long ago. In 2024, Apple put ChatGPT into the iPhone. But this year Apple changed its Siri voice assistant to use Google's system instead. Problems grew when OpenAI moved into making hardware. It paid about $6.4bnto buy io Products, a startup started by a former Apple designer. Apple says one worker emailed himself supplier information. It says another kept his Apple laptop and downloaded secret files.
OpenAI denied the claims. It said it has no interest in other companies' trade secrets. Apple wants money and a court order to stop OpenAI from using its secrets. The timing is difficult for OpenAI. The company plans to release its first hardware product this month. It also wants to sell shares to the public soon.
