Apple alleges new laptop evidence in OpenAI trade-secret case

Apple says returned laptop produced new evidence

Apple has submitted what it describes as “shocking evidence” in its trade-secret lawsuit against OpenAI after obtaining a former employee’s Apple work laptop for examination. The employee, Chang Liu, now works at OpenAI. Apple alleges that the material on the MacBook supports claims that its confidential information was used for OpenAI’s benefit.

Apple says Liu used a confidential Apple circuit schematic in work at OpenAI. It also alleges the use of a tool sharing a name with an internal Apple engineering application. The newly cited evidence is redacted from public view, so the underlying documents and their full technical context have not been disclosed.

The company characterises the laptop as a limited portion of the information supplied by the defendants after weeks of delay. In its filing, Apple argues that the material shows its requests are not “fishing expeditions” and alleges that trade secrets are being used while evidence is being destroyed.

Dispute centres on access and alleged evidence destruction

Apple further alleges that Liu asked OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng for help to destroy evidence in June after learning that Apple was investigating him. Earlier filings included text messages in which Liu appeared to acknowledge that he still had access to Apple files.

OpenAI has defended Liu by saying he accessed Apple files after leaving the company to assist former colleagues who had requested help. The company has also said that residual access is a common issue caused by Apple’s failure to manage system access properly when staff leave. Apple counters that Liu maintained access by exploiting what it calls a rare, previously unknown authentication bug.

The competing accounts of residual access are central to the case, because OpenAI’s iCloud access defence details OpenAI’s position on access through a personal iCloud account while Apple alleges a different means of retaining access. Neither account resolves the allegations, which remain before the court.

Apple seeks fast-tracked discovery and an injunction

Apple is asking for a preliminary injunction that would prevent OpenAI from developing hardware based on Apple technology while the litigation continues. It also seeks expedited discovery, a faster evidence-gathering process, because it alleges that additional former Apple employees may be involved.

Apple’s initial filing said that more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. For businesses managing sensitive engineering material, the case underlines the need for controlled offboarding, timely access revocation and records that can establish how confidential data was handled when employees change employers.