Apple's Lawsuit Could Sever OpenAI's Hardware Lifeline

On July 11, 2024, a 40-page complaint was added to the case files of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Apple sued OpenAI and its Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, alleging systematic theft of trade secrets—specifically encouraging current Apple employees to review confidential materials during interviews, and even bringing hardware prototypes to so-called "show and tell" sessions. This isn't news in Silicon Valley, but its strategic impact goes far beyond the legal realm.