The legal dispute between Apple and OpenAI has intensified in recent days, putting the two companies increasingly at odds. Apple has accused OpenAI of gaining access to confidential information about the company’s products and hardware technologies by hiring former Apple employees, and of using that information to develop its own AI devices. OpenAI, however, calls these accusations unfounded and blames Apple’s internal practices for the dispute.
From collaboration on ChatGPT to competition over AI devices
The relationship between the two companies was initially completely different. Apple and OpenAI began their collaboration in June 2024 to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and this partnership was considered one of Apple’s most important steps to strengthen AI capabilities in its products.
But about a year later, signs of a shift appeared. In May 2025, OpenAI purchased the hardware company io, founded by Jony Ive, a former Apple designer, in a deal worth about $6.4 billion. This move indicated that OpenAI intends to move beyond software and chatbots and directly enter the market for AI-based devices.
This development is particularly significant for Apple; a company that has dominated the consumer hardware market for years now faces a rival aiming to redefine the user experience of future devices based on AI.
Apple’s lawsuit against OpenAI
In July 2026, Apple sued OpenAI, alleging that the company, with the help of some former Apple employees, tried to obtain trade secrets and information about unreleased products.
Apple also accused OpenAI of contacting some of Apple’s business partners using the company’s confidential information.
In response, OpenAI said there is no evidence to support Apple’s claims and that employees have the right to change their workplace under the law.
In August, Apple sought a temporary injunction to prevent OpenAI from potentially using the disputed information. OpenAI, in turn, asked for the case to be dismissed, claiming Apple’s lawsuit stems more from the company’s concern about losing skilled workers and falling behind in AI competition.
Apple now seeks to move the case into the discovery phase; a stage in which the parties can review and request documents, correspondence, and related evidence.
New allegation: destruction of evidence
The latest development has made the dispute more sensitive. In a new court filing, Apple alleged that OpenAI is destroying evidence related to the trade secrets case. OpenAI denied these allegations and, in response, blamed Apple for weaknesses in its internal procedures for protecting employee information and offboarding processes.
The importance of this case is not limited to a single intellectual property dispute. If it enters the discovery phase, the two companies may be forced to disclose sensitive information about hiring practices, hardware development, management of confidential documents, and their plans for the next generation of AI devices.
This confrontation also highlights OpenAI’s changing position in the tech industry. The company is no longer just the maker of ChatGPT and, with heavy investments in hardware, is moving closer to Apple’s traditional territory.
On the other hand, Apple has taken a different approach to AI development and this year has collaborated with Google and the Gemini models to strengthen capabilities like Siri.
According to Axios, the next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 1, 2026; a session that could determine whether the dispute will enter the discovery phase.
If the case continues, the Apple–OpenAI fight could become one of the most significant legal battles in the tech industry over the future of AI devices, intellectual property, and the movement of technical talent.