All articles tagged with #trade secrets
NBC News reports that Apple did alert OpenAI to concerns about potential trade-secret theft and OpenAI did respond in February, but negotiations bogged down and were halted after an outside Apple attorney mixed up the names and email addresses of two OpenAI employees (Wang and Chang), effectively derailing talks before Apple filed suit.
Apple has filed a 41-page federal complaint accusing former Apple employees now at OpenAI of stealing Apple’s trade secrets to benefit OpenAI’s hardware push; the case could drag on for years as OpenAI eyes an IPO and a forthcoming device, with experts noting that insider-trade claims are common in Silicon Valley.
Apple filed a 41-page lawsuit accusing OpenAI and three former Apple employees of stealing confidential documents, spying on prototypes, and coaching departures to bypass security as OpenAI pursues its own hardware. The filing details allegations that Apple‑employee Chang Liu kept an Apple computer and downloaded dozens of confidential files, and that Yu‑Ting Peng helped relay this information to Liu after joining OpenAI. It also alleges that OpenAI's hardware chief Tang Tan asked interviewees to bring Apple parts for “show and tell,” probed candidates about secret projects, coached departing Apple workers on security, and used Apple’s metal‑finishing techniques with a trusted partner, among other actions against suppliers. OpenAI has denied the accusations.
Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI accusing it of poaching Apple engineers, keeping a company laptop, exploiting a security flaw to access internal systems, downloading confidential files, and coaching departing employees to evade exit checks, while also allegedly using a shared supplier to replicate Apple’s proprietary metal-finishing process. OpenAI denies any secrets theft and says it’s focused on innovation. The high-profile case, unfolding as Sun Valley events wind down, has sparked mixed expert takes on California trade-secret law, potential supply-chain risks, and what the dispute could mean for AI talent and IP in the tech industry.
Apple has filed a lawsuit alleging OpenAI staff misappropriated confidential Apple information and unreleased technologies, including claims that a former Apple engineer retained a company laptop to access Apple’s cloud storage after leaving, and that a senior Apple veteran now at OpenAI used Apple codenames to recruit staff; the suit also references io Products and partner disclosures. OpenAI denies the allegations, and Apple seeks injunctions, the return of materials, and damages.
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the ChatGPT-maker stole trade secrets to help build a competing hardware business, setting up a high-profile legal clash over AI development and proprietary information between two tech giants.
Apple has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of a pattern of misappropriating Apple’s trade secrets to boost its hardware efforts, naming IO Products (Jony Ive’s startup bought by OpenAI in 2025) and two former Apple employees, Tang Tan and Chang Liu. The suit alleges Liu accessed Apple systems after leaving, downloaded confidential hardware files and technical data, and instructed a former colleague on copying information, while Tan allegedly emailed himself supplier details and pressed for confidential data during interviews. Apple says OpenAI’s nascent hardware business rests on stolen secrets and has targeted Apple’s partner network; OpenAI has denied the accusations, after Apple says it reached out in February with no reply, and OpenAI later issued a statement. OpenAI’s first hardware product is expected next year.
Apple filed a federal lawsuit in Northern California accusing OpenAI of stealing Apple’s trade secrets and confidential information to help develop its own hardware, naming former Apple employees and OpenAI executives as defendants. The suit seeks damages, injunctions, and an order to stop using Apple confidential information, following a previously announced partnership around ChatGPT integration and allegations of guiding departing Apple staff to disclose secrets.
The Verge reports that YouTuber Jon Prosser has filed a formal response to Apple’s lawsuit over alleged iOS secrets leaks, denying any conspiracy but admitting to recording a FaceTime call showing unreleased iOS features and sharing advertising revenue with the informant; he argues the other defendant, Michael Ramacciotti, is fully responsible for any disclosure of trade secrets, while Apple had claimed a coordinated scheme to steal Apple’s secrets.
Jon Prosser filed an answer denying any conspiracy to steal Apple trade secrets tied to the Liquid Glass redesign, arguing he didn’t agree to any plan in advance and that his videos were reporting on information provided to him. He concedes recording a FaceTime with Ramacciotti that showed leaked iOS 26 details but says he didn’t know the iPhone belonged to Lipnick and that payments were made after the fact. He seeks dismissal with prejudice, attorney fees, and a jury trial, while contending Apple’s damages are speculative. The filing follows Judge Donato’s decision to set aside a default to allow Prosser to participate in the case.
A Taiwanese court has sentenced a former Tokyo Electron employee to 10 years in prison for involvement in a trade secrets case tied to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC).
Two former Google employees and one of their husbands were indicted on 14 felony counts of conspiracy and theft of trade secrets related to Google’s Tensor processor for Pixel phones, potentially facing more than 20 years in prison if convicted.
Three Silicon Valley engineers were indicted for allegedly stealing hundreds of confidential files from Google and other tech companies and routing them to Iran, using personal devices and methods to evade detection. Google detected the theft via routine security monitoring and alerted law enforcement. The suspects face charges including conspiracy to steal trade secrets, theft and attempted theft, and obstruction of justice, with potential prison terms and fines if convicted.
A former executive at L3Harris Trenchant pleaded guilty to selling at least $1.3 million worth of trade secrets to a Russian buyer, involving zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits, and faces up to 9 years in prison with fines. The case highlights ongoing concerns over cyber espionage and the sale of hacking tools to foreign entities.
Apple is suing Jon Prosser for allegedly stealing trade secrets related to iOS 26, with Prosser having acknowledged the complaint but not indicating when he will respond. A default has been entered against him, and Apple plans to seek damages and an injunction. Ramacciotti, another defendant, admits to sharing information but denies conspiracy or intent to monetize.