Apple sues OpenAI alleging trade secret theft, says scheme was 'at every level' (www.cnbc.com)

Apple has initiated a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the theft of trade secrets related to its proprietary technology as OpenAI develops its own consumer hardware. The suit, filed in Northern California, claims that OpenAI's actions involved its Technical Staff and Chief Hardware Officer, Tang Tan, who is accused of directing job candidates from Apple to disclose confidential information during the interviewing process. Specifically, Apple alleges that OpenAI has requested candidates bring "actual parts" from Apple for these interviews, while also coaching departing employees on how to bypass security protocols when leaving the company. This legal battle marks a significant turning point in the relationship between Apple and OpenAI, which was previously characterized by a collaborative partnership initiated in 2024 when ChatGPT was integrated into Apple’s operating system. The allegations come in the wake of OpenAI’s growing ambitions in hardware, notably after its acquisition of Jony Ive’s startup. As Apple gears up for a new version of its Siri assistant based on Google's models instead of ChatGPT, the lawsuit not only seeks damages but also an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using Apple’s trade secrets, raising critical questions about intellectual property and competitive practices in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.