San Francisco, July 13 (SANA)Apple has filed a lawsuit againstOpenAI, accusing theChatGPTmaker of misappropriating trade secrets through formerAppleemployees as the artificial intelligence company expands its hardware ambitions.

Thelawsuit, filed in federal court in California, alleges OpenAI encouraged Apple employees it recruited to disclose confidential information and improperly obtained proprietary files related to Apple’s hardware development. Apple said it uncovered what it described as a pattern of trade secret theft involving former employees who later joined OpenAI.

The suit names OpenAI, its hardware chief Tang Tan, a former senior Apple executive, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, and io Products, the hardware startup acquired by OpenAI earlier this year.

OpenAI denied the allegations, saying it had no interest in competitors’ trade secrets and remained focused on developing innovative technology. The company said it was reviewing the lawsuit.

The legal action marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two companies, whose relationship has shifted from collaboration to increasing competition. Apple integrated ChatGPT into its devices in 2024, while OpenAI has since accelerated efforts to develop its own AI-powered consumer hardware.

The lawsuit comes as OpenAI continues work on a new AI device in partnership with former Apple designer Jony Ive and explores further expansion of its hardware business.kA.ABD