Apple alleges OpenAI employee accessed circuit plans after joining startup
- On Monday, Apple alleged in a federal court filing that former engineer Chang Liu accessed a proprietary power converter circuit schematic while working at OpenAI, calling the discovery "shocking evidence" warranting expedited discovery.
- An "initial forensic analysis" of the MacBook, provided by OpenAI on August 21, revealed Liu downloaded confidential files and used a tool matching an internal Apple application. Evidence refutes defense arguments that the device's data would disprove Apple's claims.
- Liu allegedly used the circuit schematic in March 2026 to run simulations in LTspice, an electrical engineering tool. In messages from that time, Liu stated his AI "agent" learned to run LTspice and review results.
- Apple further claims the forensic analysis shows Liu instructed an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence upon learning of an internal investigation. OpenAI has sought to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming its products are "entirely new."
- Evidence from the laptop proves Apple is not pursuing "fishing expeditions" but uncovering trade-secret misuse. Apple continues pressing the court for expedited discovery to secure depositions and documents from key OpenAI employees and executives.
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Apple intensified its litigation against OpenAI, claiming in a new petition submitted to the Court that the artificial intelligence company is actively destroying crucial evidence and that the former iPhone engineer Chang Liu "not only lowered an Apple confidential circuit scheme, but also used it in his work" at OpenAI. The document was filed on Monday in support of Apple's request to expedite the production of evidence before the trial, which …
Apple accuses ex-engineer of using its trade secrets to train an AI agent at OpenAI - Tech Startups
Apple says a former senior engineer didn’t just take confidential information after leaving the iPhone maker for OpenAI. The company now alleges he used a proprietary Apple circuit schematic in his new job and trained an AI agent to perform […] The post Apple accuses ex-engineer of using its trade secrets to train an AI agent at OpenAI first appeared on Tech Startups.
Apple Says OpenAI Is Destroying Evidence in Trade Secrets Case
Apple Inc. escalated its legal battle against OpenAI, claiming in a new court filing that OpenAI is actively destroying crucial evidence and that former iPhone engineer Chang Liu “not only downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic but also used it in his work” at the AI company.
Channel News Asia
Apple alleges OpenAI employee accessed circuit plans after joining startup
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 31 : Apple on Monday alleged that a defendant in its trade secret case against ChatGPT creator OpenAI accessed a power converter circuit schematic while at OpenAI, according to a filing in U.S. federal court.•Apple alleged that Chang Liu, a former Apple senior system electrical engineer,
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