How Apple’s big lawsuit could disrupt OpenAI’s IPO plans

# How Apple's big lawsuit could disrupt OpenAI's IPO plans | TechCrunch Source: [https://techcrunch.com/video/how-apples-big-lawsuit-could-disrupt-openais-ipo-plans/](https://techcrunch.com/video/how-apples-big-lawsuit-could-disrupt-openais-ipo-plans/) Apple[filed a trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/13/the-wildest-allegations-in-apples-trade-secrets-lawsuit-against-openai/)last Friday, and it’s not messing around\. The complaint alleges a pattern of misconduct reaching all the way up to OpenAI’s chief hardware officer and claims more than 400 former Apple employees now work at the company\.[OpenAI’s response so far](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/14/openai-pushes-back-on-apple-trade-secret-lawsuit/)has been carefully hedged, and the timing couldn’t be worse with the company reportedly eyeing an IPO as early as later this year\. On this episode of TechCrunch’s[Equity](https://techcrunch.com/podcasts/equity/)podcast, hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dig into what the lawsuit could mean for OpenAI’s own hardware ambitions and IPO timeline, plus a bigger theme running through the week’s news: how much should anyone trust AI companies with their data? Subscribe to Equity on[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@TechCrunch),[Apple Podcasts](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1215439780),[Overcast](https://overcast.fm/itunes1215439780/equity),[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5IEYLip3eDppcOmy5DmphC?si=rZDFHv2sQUul_g94iCRgpQ)and all the casts\. You also can follow Equity on[X](https://twitter.com/EquityPod)and[Threads](https://www.threads.net/@equitypod), at @EquityPod\. Theresa Loconsolo is an audio producer at TechCrunch focusing on Equity, the network’s flagship podcast\. Before joining TechCrunch in 2022, she was one of 2 producers at a four\-station conglomerate where she wrote, recorded, voiced and edited content, and engineered live performances and interviews from guests like lovelytheband\. Theresa is based in New Jersey and holds a bachelors degree in Communication from Monmouth University\. You can contact or verify outreach from Theresa by emailing[theresa\.loconsolo@techcrunch\.com](mailto:[email protected])\. [View Bio](https://techcrunch.com/author/theresa-loconsolo/) ## Most Popular ### Newsletters Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news ## Related