Apple vs OpenAI Trade Secrets Lawsuit Gets July 2027 Trial Date

A US federal court has scheduled a trial for July 19, 2027, in the trade secrets lawsuit filed by Apple against OpenAI, hardware startup io Products, and two former employees. Apple originally filed the complaint on July 10, 2026, in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, initiating a pre-trial discovery and evidence-sharing phase overseen by US District Judge Edward J Davila.

Core Allegations by Apple

Apple's legal complaint details several accusations concerning the alleged misappropriation of confidential hardware information:

• Former Employees Involved: Apple accuses former employees Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu of taking confidential data to OpenAI and io Products, a hardware startup co-founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive.
• Specific Actions: Apple alleges that Chang Liu failed to return a company laptop and downloaded dozens of confidential hardware files upon joining OpenAI. It also claims that Tang Yew Tan, now OpenAI's hardware chief, emailed himself material on Apple suppliers and internal industry summaries prior to his departure.
• Recruitment and Hardware: Apple claims OpenAI systematically recruited former employees—stating over 400 former Apple workers are at OpenAI—to help build competing consumer hardware, such as a smart speaker.

OpenAI's Response and Counter-Claims

OpenAI has disputed Apple's allegations, stating previously that it is not aware of any evidence showing the complaint has merit while acknowledging they take the matter seriously. The AI startup suggested departing employees might retain files unintentionally. Additionally, OpenAI claimed it previously halted talks with Apple after an Apple lawyer confused the names of two employees, and separately alleged that a former employee took confidential hardware files when returning to Apple in June 2026—an allegation Apple has denied.

Practical Implications and Verification

The case remains in the pre-trial phase, with a final pretrial conference set for June 24, 2027, ahead of the July trial date. Observers and stakeholders can verify court schedules and official filings directly through the US District Court for the Northern District of California docket records.