# Apple Likely Won't Include Jony Ive in OpenAI Lawsuit Former Apple design chief not named in the lawsuit despite his ties to OpenAI. - **Source:** [AppleInsider News](https://brifing.si/source/4f063a0c-06a9-46c3-84ea-633b4d4b1a4f) - **Published:** 2026-07-19 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0055b4e1-6a73-421a-9c43-7ef60a038013 ## Overview of the Lawsuit Apple has launched a major lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing former employees of intellectual property theft. However, former Apple design chief Jony Ive is not named in the lawsuit. This decision is based on both personal and practical reasons. ## Jony Ive's Role Jony Ive joined OpenAI after leaving Apple, yet he is not implicated in Apple's lawsuit. Mark Gurman suggests there are two significant reasons behind Apple's decision to exclude Ive from the legal action. ## Legal Strategy Apple's decision to exclude Jony Ive from the lawsuit could be a legal strategy. This approach might make the case more focused and effective. Additionally, Ive's past with Apple may have influenced this decision. ## Personal Reasons Jony Ive's personal ties with Apple might be one reason he is not named in the lawsuit. Apple may prefer not to target a former employee, which could be part of the company's image protection strategy. ## Practical Reasons There could also be practical reasons for Apple not to include Jony Ive in the lawsuit. His involvement might complicate the case and overshadow the main issues Apple wants to focus on. ## Conclusion and Implications Apple's decision to exclude Jony Ive from the lawsuit is both a legal and strategic move. This keeps the case more focused while potentially protecting Apple's image. This situation sets a significant precedent in the tech world. ## Sources covering this story - https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/07/19/apple-probably-wont-add-jony-ive-to-openai-trade-secret-theft-suit?utm_source=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._