In an October 14, 2026 court filing, OpenAI alleged that a former employee transferred over 100 confidential files regarding unreleased AI devices to personal accounts before returning to Apple. OpenAI claimed the ex-employee briefed Apple executives on product plans months before Apple announced its $299 HomeView smart display. Apple denied the claims, describing them as a distraction from its own July 2026 trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI.
OpenAI allegations and Apple's response
- ▪OpenAI stated that the files taken by its former employee contained images of unreleased devices, engineering data, supplier details, project files, cosmetic standards, and hardware coating reports
- ▪In an October 14, 2026 court filing, OpenAI alleged a former employee sent over 100 highly confidential files regarding an unreleased OpenAI AI device to personal accounts before returning to work at Apple
- ▪OpenAI alleged that a former OpenAI employee who later rejoined Apple briefed senior Apple leadership, including Apple's vice president of operations in Asia, using OpenAI's confidential product plans months before Apple announced new AI products
HomeView launch linked to allegations
- ▪In October 2026, Apple announced HomeView, a $299 smart home display powered by Siri AI, alongside smart home products developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric
- ▪OpenAI linked Apple's HomeView launch to an alleged confidential product presentation made by a former OpenAI employee to Apple leadership
Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI
- ▪Apple sued OpenAI in July 2026, alleging that OpenAI systematically stole Apple's trade secrets and hardware designs through former Apple employees who joined OpenAI
- ▪Apple requested a court injunction to prevent OpenAI from using Apple trade secrets or concealing evidence, while OpenAI requested that the judge dismiss Apple's July 2026 trade secret lawsuit entirely
- ▪The trade secret case between Apple and OpenAI, filed in July 2026, is expected to go to trial in federal court in San Jose, California, in October 2027
- ▪On October 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila granted Apple expedited access to OpenAI digital files and ordered depositions for former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Tang Yew Tan
Staff movement between Apple and OpenAI
- ▪Hundreds of former Apple employees have joined OpenAI, which acquired Sir Jony Ive's hardware startup io for $6.4 billion in 2025 to develop personal AI devices
- ▪Apple sent legal warning letters to dozens of former Apple employees who moved to OpenAI, according to court documents and reporting
- ▪A former employee accused by OpenAI worked at Apple, spent six months at OpenAI, and then returned to Apple in 2026
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