Apple expands trade-secret claims, citing laptop evidence against former engineer at OpenAI

Apple has lodged additional claims in its ongoing trade-secret lawsuit against OpenAI, focusing on former senior system electrical engineer Chang Liu. The company’s latest support document details a forensic analysis of a MacBook Liu used after his departure, which allegedly shows he accessed Apple’s third-party cloud storage and downloaded dozens of confidential files, among them a circuit schematic. Apple contends Liu employed that schematic for simulations in his role at OpenAI and referenced internal engineering tools by name.

The filing also alleges Liu, after learning of an internal investigation, told an OpenAI colleague to "restore" Apple-issued devices to wipe potential evidence. This move follows Apple’s request for expedited discovery earlier in August, expanding the case to include eleven ex-employees it says passed trade secrets to OpenAI. OpenAI responded that the accusations are "careless, aggressive and oddly personal" and maintains it has done nothing unlawful.