Apple alleges ex‑iPhone engineer misused confidential circuit schematic at OpenAI, evidence being destroyed
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| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Apple alleges a former iPhone engineer used a confidential Apple circuit schematic in his work at OpenAI and says evidence is being destroyed, filing new documents in its ongoing lawsuit.
Apple has lodged a fresh filing in its federal lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI firm of both misusing a former employee’s proprietary data and destroying evidence that could prove the claim. The filing, submitted on Monday, alleges that Chang Liu – a senior system electrical engineer who left Apple for OpenAI in January 2026 – downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and incorporated it into his work at the AI company. Apple says a forensic review of Liu’s MacBook revealed the transfer, and that OpenAI subsequently deleted or altered files that might substantiate the allegation. The company is now pressing the court for expedited discovery to preserve any remaining evidence.
The dispute matters because it pits two of the world’s most valuable technology players against each other over the ownership of core hardware designs and the permissible use of such data in training AI systems. If Apple’s claims are upheld, OpenAI could face injunctions, damages, and heightened scrutiny over how it vets former employees and safeguards third‑party intellectual property. The case also raises broader questions about the extent to which AI developers may rely on proprietary engineering information without breaching trade‑secret laws.
As we reported on 1 September, Apple had already presented “shocking evidence” linking Liu to the alleged theft. The new filing intensifies the legal battle, and the next steps will hinge on the court’s decision on the expedited‑discovery request. Observers will be watching for rulings on evidence preservation, potential sanctions against OpenAI, and whether the dispute spurs tighter industry standards for data handling in AI research.
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