Posted on 07/08/2026 4:13:42 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
Yes, there have been multiple cases where Tesla accused former programmers/engineers of stealing source code or trade secrets and allegedly using or taking them to competitors (or rivals). Tesla has filed several lawsuits over the years alleging this.
Notable Examples Guangzhi Cao (2019): A former Autopilot engineer. Tesla sued him for copying over 300,000 files of Autopilot source code before joining Chinese EV startup Xiaopeng Motors (Xpeng), a direct competitor. He allegedly uploaded it to personal iCloud and devices. The case settled in 2021 with an undisclosed payment from Cao to Tesla.
Zhongjie “Jay” Li (2025): A former engineer on Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program. Tesla sued him and his startup Proception Inc., alleging he downloaded sensitive robotic tech (e.g., hand sensors) onto personal devices right before leaving and used it for his rival company.
Other cases: Tesla has sued or pursued actions against ex-employees for stealing manufacturing/automation scripts (e.g., Alex Khatilov in 2021), battery tech, and more, sometimes involving poaching by rivals like Rivian or others.
There have also been internal sabotage claims (e.g., Martin Tripp). These are allegations in lawsuits—some settled without full admissions of wrongdoing, and outcomes vary.
Trade secret theft is a common issue in tech/auto, especially with high-value autonomous driving, robotics, and manufacturing IP. Tesla actively monitors and litigates these. Chinese competitors have been frequent targets of such claims due to talent movement.
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Tell me it isn't so? This can't be?;-)
As an aside, Elon knows how to silo workers and operations.
”Xiaopeng Motors”
That is, I think, in partnership with Huawei is the Chinese luxury brand Avatar
And your point is?
Dirty Deeds, done dirt cheap!
Inventors aren’t unaware that thieves seek to steal their inventions. That’s been around since the invention of the wheel and the domestication of the donkey (and before).
FTA
Trade secret theft is a common issue in tech/auto mfg IP. Tesla actively monitors and litigates——Chinese competitors have been frequent targets due to talent movement. Notable Examples:
<><> Guangzhi Cao (2019), former Autopilot engineer. Tesla sued him for copying over 300,000 files of Autopilot source code before joining Chinese EV startup Xiaopeng Motors (Xpeng), a direct competitor. He allegedly uploaded it to personal iCloud and devices. The case settled in 2021 with an undisclosed payment from Cao to Tesla.
<><>Zhongjie “Jay” Li (2025), a former engineer on Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot program. Tesla sued him and his startup Proception Inc., alleging he downloaded sensitive robotic tech (e.g., hand sensors) onto personal devices right before leaving and used it for his rival company.
Not sure why this is newsworthy. Is Tesla supposed to be sacrosanct that it would be immune to industrial espionage?
Watch this guy try and hustle Musk.
Short clip.
When I started work, removable disks were the size of wedding cakes.
I have all their data here!
It appears to be encrypted. They apparently have site specific encryption scheme. No yuan for you.
The development computer system is not online. Please use the general computer system if you need to interact with the outside world.
Great idea, let’s hire a bunch of Chinese spies. What could possibly go wrong?
It happens everywhere.
More industrial espionage.
China is good at it.
I would never trust a Chinaman with intellectual property. Hire one of them, and on his first day before quitting time, the information will be in Peking.
Every country is good at it.
Read some of the old espionage books. Most of the top spies were from Soviet Union back then.
“Chinese competitors” ...
... expect them to carry off anything that is not nailed down.
Same as competitors from other countries?
By now every CEO needs to accept the loss of IP to theft as the cost for using H-1B labor.
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