The legal dispute between Apple and OpenAI could become a significant obstacle to OpenAI’s entry into consumer hardware. Apple has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of misusing trade secrets and seeking confidential information from current and former Apple employees.

OpenAI says it is not aware of evidence supporting the allegations. At this stage, the claims represent Apple’s position in a legal complaint, and the court has not reached a final conclusion.

The largest potential impact concerns OpenAI’s hardware division. The company is developing its first device with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Reports have described one possible product as a compact mobile device without a traditional screen, built around voice interaction with artificial intelligence.

Even if a court does not block the project, the case could create delays, additional reviews, and restrictions involving specific technologies. The dispute may also introduce uncertainty ahead of a possible OpenAI public offering, because investors would need to account for the legal risks surrounding the company’s future hardware business.