---
title: "Legal Battle: OpenAI Accuses Apple of Stealing Secret AI Developments"
description: "OpenAI accuses Apple of stealing over 100 secret AI development files through a former employee. The legal confrontation between tech giants has been ongoing since July."
date: 2026-10-15T14:43:59.527Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/openai-accuses-apple-of-stealing-secret-ai-developments
tags: [apple, openai, lawsuit, ai-development, tech-news]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Legal Battle: OpenAI Accuses Apple of Stealing Secret AI Developments

![A judge's gavel on a desk with Apple versus OpenAI typography in the background](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/15/openai-obvinjaet-apple-v-pohischenii-ii-razrabotok/openai-obvinjaet-apple-v-pohischenii-ii-razrabotok-1.webp)

## Key Points

- OpenAI accuses Apple of stealing over 100 secret files via a former employee.
- Stolen data includes blueprints of unreleased AI devices and strategic presentations.
- Apple denies the allegations and claims no evidence of using third-party materials.
- Judge Edward Davila stated there is a high probability of issuing a preliminary injunction.

OpenAI has filed serious allegations against technology giant Apple, claiming the theft of over one hundred confidential files concerning unreleased hardware AI devices. The conflict between two key players in the artificial intelligence and consumer electronics markets is gaining momentum, escalating into a large-scale legal confrontation involving top management and judicial authorities.

### The Nature of the Allegations and Stolen Data

Court documents indicate that a former OpenAI employee, who previously worked at Apple and returned to Cupertino six months after moving, copied over 100 highly secret documents to personal accounts. Among the stolen materials were manufacturing data regarding the production specifics of future products, detailed drawings and photographs of at least one unannounced AI device, and a presentation of OpenAI's strategic plans demonstrated to Apple's senior management.

### Reactions of the Parties and Settlement Efforts

Representatives of the ChatGPT developer stated that they repeatedly raised this issue with Apple's leadership but received no response guaranteeing that the corporation does not possess or use the transferred information. In turn, the iPhone maker completely rejects all allegations, citing internal audits that found no trace of third-party data and emphasizing the strictness of its corporate policy against industrial espionage.

### Contradictory Data

Throughout the legal proceedings ongoing since July, the parties have advanced mutually exclusive claims. Apple initially sued former engineers Chan Lu and Tan Tan for stealing trade secrets to develop OpenAI's hardware division. In response, OpenAI's creators called the initial lawsuit aggressive and unfounded. Amid these contradictions, Judge Edward Davila pointed out a high probability of issuing a preliminary injunction that could block the use of the disputed technologies.

### Future Prospects and Consequences

The case has now entered a phase of expedited evidence disclosure, under which OpenAI must transfer forensic materials and interview records of former Apple employees to the court within two weeks. The next stage will involve testimony from the case figures under oath. According to independent experts and market analysts, any temporary restriction or court injunction could seriously delay the launch of OpenAI's first proprietary hardware AI devices.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Более 100 секретных файлов: OpenAI обвиняет Apple в похищении ИИ-разработок](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ponad-100-sekretnih-fayliv-openai-zvinuvachue-1792056981.html) - RBC-Ukraine materials served as the primary source of facts regarding OpenAI's lawsuit against Apple over 100 secret files.

## FAQ

### What specifically is OpenAI accusing Apple of?

OpenAI claims that a former employee copied over 100 secret files to personal accounts, including blueprints of unreleased AI devices and manufacturing data, and handed them over to Apple's management.

### How did Apple react to the allegations?

Apple stated it found no evidence to support these claims, noting that its internal corporate policy strictly prohibits industrial espionage and the use of data from previous employers.

### How long has the legal conflict between the companies been ongoing?

The legal war between Apple and OpenAI has been ongoing since July, when the iPhone maker first filed a lawsuit against the ChatGPT developer.