Apple has accused a former employee of using confidential company information while working at OpenAI. The allegations were presented in a recent court filing.
According to Apple, former employee Chang Liu downloaded a confidential circuit schematic after leaving the company. The company claims he later used the material while working for OpenAI.
Apple says Liu used the schematic with LTspice, an engineering software program. He allegedly used the software while developing and training an AI agent for engineering tasks.
The company claims Liu told another person about the AI system. According to Apple, the agent could operate LTspice and review its results. It could also adjust compensation parameters based on those results.
Apple says this process helped reduce the time needed for certain engineering work. A task that previously required an entire day reportedly took about two hours with AI assistance.
Apple Presents Evidence From Forensic Review
The allegations are part of a broader trade secrets lawsuit involving Liu and former Apple employee Tang Tan. Apple filed the lawsuit in July.
The company alleges that both former employees took confidential information before joining OpenAI. OpenAI has rejected the allegations and asked the court to dismiss the case.
Apple says it recovered a company-issued MacBook that Liu kept after leaving. The device was examined as part of a forensic investigation.
The latest court filing reportedly revealed a download of the confidential circuit schematic. Apple says the download happened in March, about two months after Liu left the company.
The company claims Liu later used the schematic on a Mac mini. Data from that computer was reportedly synchronized with the Apple-owned MacBook.
This synchronization allegedly helped Apple identify the activity during its forensic examination. Apple is now seeking access to the Mac mini and other devices still held by Liu.
Apple Raises Concerns Over Access and Evidence
Apple also alleges that Liu and other OpenAI employees knew he still had unauthorized access to third-party cloud storage.
The company further claims Liu asked an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence. Apple says this happened after Liu learned that the company was investigating his activities.
Apple also highlighted Liu’s use of a tool at OpenAI. The tool reportedly had the same name as an internal Apple engineering application.
The company described the newly discovered information as serious evidence. Apple says its trade secrets could still be in use.
The company also warned that important evidence could potentially be destroyed. It has therefore asked the court for faster access to additional devices and information.
Apple Seeks Expedited Discovery
Apple is asking the court to allow expedited discovery in the case. This process could give the company earlier access to relevant information and devices.
The company had already requested expedited discovery earlier this month. It also sought an injunction against OpenAI’s alleged use of the disputed trade secrets.
Apple argues that the newly identified activity makes quick access to the remaining devices more important.
OpenAI has described the lawsuit as meritless. The company has also criticized the case as aggressive and unusually personal.
OpenAI maintains that it does not have or want Apple’s trade secrets. The company says it remains focused on developing its own products and technologies.
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Judge Edward J. Davila is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on October 1. The hearing could provide further developments in the dispute between Apple, the former employees, and OpenAI.
