Apple has initiated legal action against OpenAI, alleging that former staff members misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets to benefit the AI company. The lawsuit focuses on the unauthorized transfer of intellectual property concerning unreleased technologies and internal processes.

Among the defendants are Tang Tan, who previously served as Apple's VP of product design for the iPhone and Apple Watch, and Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer with eight years of tenure at Apple. The legal action also targets OpenAI and io Products.

Apple stated that significant evidence indicates OpenAI employees wrongfully acquired secret data. The company emphasized its commitment to defending the innovations and hard work of its development teams against such intellectual property theft.