Apple Sues OpenAI Over Trade Secrets, Names io Products and Co-Founder

Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI last week alleging the company sought to steal trade secrets. The 41-page document named io Products and co-founder Tang Tan as defendants but did not mention Sir Jony Ive. Ive, 59, worked at Apple for 30 years and contributed to the design of the multicoloured iMac, the iPod, and the iPhone. He left the company in 2019 and later established LoveFrom studio.

Background on the Partnership A three-year contract between Apple and LoveFrom was not renewed in 2022. In 2024 Ive founded io Products and hired former Apple colleagues, including Tan, who had served as head of design for the iPhone. OpenAI announced in 2025 that it would acquire io Products for $US6.4 billion. Ive stated he would remain involved but did not join the company.

Apple alleged that OpenAI employees who previously worked at Apple had asked current staff to disclose secret projects and had requested prototypes during interviews. The company said OpenAI did not respond to its inquiries, prompting the legal action.

" Documents reviewed by NBC indicated that communications between the companies had continued until a name mix-up occurred in correspondence. The suit also claims OpenAI turned to "unlawful shortcuts" because of pressure to prepare for a public listing.

Analysts have said the filing could slow OpenAI’s device development efforts.