Apple Seeks Injunction to Stop OpenAI Trade Secret Use

Apple Inc. requested a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on August 3, 2026. The motion aims to prevent OpenAI and two former Apple employees from accessing or disclosing alleged trade secrets. Apple further requested expedited discovery and depositions of former executives Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu, both of whom now work for OpenAI.

The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI misappropriated confidential information to aid the development of consumer hardware intended to compete with the iPhone. Apple claims the company will be irreparably harmed if the court does not grant the injunction.

OpenAI denied the allegations in a blog post. The company stated that the request for an injunction is based on false information and maintained that it does not possess, nor desire, any of Apple's trade secrets.