Apple alleges OpenAI used stolen chip designs and destroyed evidence in trade-secret case

Apple filed new evidence in its lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming a former employee used a confidential circuit schematic and an internal engineering tool while working at OpenAI. The company says the employee, Chang Liu, enlisted a colleague to destroy evidence after learning he was under investigation. Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from using its technology and expedited discovery, citing that over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI.

The new filing centers on a MacBook that Chang Liu’s legal team surrendered earlier this month. Apple contends this device reveals Liu used a confidential circuit schematic and an internal engineering tool while at OpenAI, and that he exploited a rare authentication bug to retain access. Apple also alleges Liu recruited OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to destroy evidence in June after learning of the investigation.

Apple is pursuing a preliminary injunction to halt OpenAI’s hardware work based on its technology, plus expedited discovery. The company notes over 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI. OpenAI counters that Liu only helped former colleagues and blames Apple’s poor system-access management, calling the “residual access” a common issue.