Apple sues OpenAI over stolen trade secrets, threatens AI hardware ambitions

This lawsuit represents Apple's third major intellectual property offensive in recent decades—first copyright against Microsoft in the 1990s, then patents against Samsung in the 2000s and 2010s, and now trade secrets against OpenAI. In both previous cases, Apple's competitors ultimately survived: Microsoft kept Windows, and Samsung kept Android despite paying roughly $1 billion（約1600億円） in damages. However, OpenAI faces a fundamentally different situation. The company is not yet profitable, is burning cash, and is preparing for an IPO while investors scrutinize its path to profitability. A prolonged legal battle with Apple—described by lawyers interviewed as a notoriously tenacious litigant willing to pursue cases for years—could severely constrain OpenAI's ability to invest in hardware and compete across its consumer and enterprise markets.

The lawsuit also carries a personal dimension that may shape its trajectory. Tang Tan's 24-year tenure at Apple, combined with his role as chief hardware officer at OpenAI, positions him as the central figure in Apple's allegations. Jony Ive's conspicuous absence from the lawsuit despite heading OpenAI's hardware ambitions is notable—whether by design, legal strategy, or because he left fewer digital footprints is unclear. What is clear is that OpenAI spent $6.5 billion（約1兆円） to acquire Ive's hardware startup io Products in 2025, a bet that now sits directly in Apple's crosshairs. The outcome of this case will likely determine whether OpenAI can credibly claim the role of architect for the next generation of AI-powered devices.