Apple has filed new evidence in its ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging former employee Chang Liu, now working at OpenAI, used a confidential Apple circuit schematic and an internal engineering tool in his OpenAI work. The evidence emerged after Liu’s legal counsel handed over his former Apple work laptop for investigation this month.
Apple further alleged that OpenAI was aware of Liu’s access to Apple data, and that Liu enlisted OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to help destroy evidence after learning of Apple’s investigation in June. Apple’s filing characterized the laptop as limited evidence provided only after significant delay, arguing it demonstrates ongoing use of trade secrets and evidence destruction rather than a baseless inquiry.
OpenAI has previously defended Liu, stating he accessed Apple files only after leaving the company to assist former colleagues, and attributing the access to Apple’s own system management failures. Apple disputed that explanation, alleging Liu exploited a previously unknown authentication bug to maintain access.
Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from developing hardware based on its technology while litigation continues, along with expedited discovery, citing concerns that additional former employees, more than 400 of whom now work at OpenAI, according to Apple’s filing, may be similarly implicated.
