Apple has submitted a new court filing in its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, saying that early forensic analysis of a former employee’s laptop uncovered what it calls “shocking evidence” supporting its case. The filing renews Apple’s push for expedited discovery as the legal battle intensifies.
The company first brought the suit in July, accusing former employees of stealing trade secrets to benefit OpenAI. Weeks later, Apple moved for a preliminary injunction and asked the court to fast-track discovery, including early document production and depositions of key OpenAI staff and executives. Apple reiterated its call for expedited discovery again last week. OpenAI has sought to have the case dismissed.
What the MacBook Analysis Allegedly Showed
At the center of the dispute is Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer at Apple who left for OpenAI in January. Apple’s lawsuit alleges that Liu used a security vulnerability to download confidential engineering files after departing the company.
According to the new filing, Liu’s attorneys recently turned over the MacBook he used after leaving Apple. Apple says an initial forensic review of that device produced four findings. The company alleges that Liu not only downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic but also used it in his work at OpenAI. It further claims that Liu and others at OpenAI were aware of his unauthorized access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage, rather than that access being unknown to him.
Apple also states that after Liu learned of the company’s internal investigation, he sent instructions to an OpenAI colleague about destroying evidence, and that the colleague confirmed she would comply. Finally, Apple says Liu used a tool at OpenAI carrying the same name as an internal Apple engineering application used for development work.
Claims of AI Training on Trade Secrets
Apple contends that Liu ran a simulation in March using the circuit schematic file in LTspice, an electrical engineering tool. In messages from that period, Liu reportedly said his AI “agent” had learned to run LTspice and review the results.
The company argues that feeding trade secret information into an AI agent or model that learns from it “may create irreversible and continually propagating uses of the trade secret.” That concern, Apple says, underscores the urgency of its request for expedited discovery.
Apple also states that it discovered Liu’s alleged use of the schematic because he ran it on a Mac mini that later synced via iCloud to the MacBook he took from Apple. As a result, the company is now seeking access to that Mac mini as well.
Apple’s Argument for Expedited Discovery
In the filing, Apple asserts that the defendants declined to inspect the laptop and instead chose to “advance theories that the device’s data disproves.” The company frames the new material as further justification for moving quickly.
“This shocking evidence—which Defendants chose to ignore despite its availability—demonstrates why Apple urgently needs expedited discovery,” the filing reads. Apple adds that the MacBook represents “the very limited information Defendants provided so far (and only after weeks of delay),” arguing the data shows its trade secrets are being used and that evidence is being destroyed.
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Image: 9to5mac.com
