Apple lawsuit could reveal OpenAI's hardware plans

Summary

CNBC's MacKenzie Sigalos reports on Apple's lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging theft of trade secrets by former employees who joined OpenAI's hardware unit. The suit seeks an injunction to block OpenAI from using allegedly stolen technology in its hardware projects, a $6.5 billion effort to build an iPhone rival with Jony Ive and ex-Apple executives. Discovery could expose internal communications and sensitive IP, while the case draws parallels to Elon Musk's earlier litigation against OpenAI.

• Apple sued OpenAI in 2025, alleging trade secret theft by former employees.
• The suit targets Tang Tan, a former Apple hardware leader now building an iPhone rival at OpenAI.
• OpenAI acquired a hardware startup co-founded by Jony Ive for $6.5 billion last year.
• Apple seeks an injunction to halt OpenAI hardware work tied to allegedly stolen technology.
• Discovery could reveal internal emails and sensitive hardware mock-ups.
• The magistrate judge, Virginia De Marchi, has a reputation for disciplined discovery.
• Injunctive relief could front-run a jury trial, similar to Anthropic's recent success in Northern California.