Apple vs OpenAI gets bigger: New evidence allegedly reveals use of confidential data
Follow UsApple claims former engineer Chang Liu used a confidential circuit schematic during his work at OpenAI.
The company alleges Liu sought help from an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence after learning about Apple's investigation.
Apple is seeking a court order to restrict OpenAI's hardware work while the trade secrets case continues.
Apple has submitted what it calls shocking evidence in its ongoing trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI. This has escalated its allegations against former Apple employees who joined the AI company. Now, the claims emerged after lawyers representing former Apple engineer Chang Liu handed over an old Apple work laptop for forensic examination. Apple alleges that evidence found on the device shows confidential company information was accessed and later used in Liu’s work at OpenAI.
SurveyApple alleges former engineer used confidential circuit design
As per the latest Apple court filing, Liu allegedly downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and used it after joining OpenAI. Apple also claimed that Liu and others at OpenAI were aware that he continued to have access to Apple data.
The company has further alleged that Liu asked OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to help destroy evidence after learning that Apple had begun investigating him. Apple said the forensic analysis of the laptop strengthened its argument that the court should allow expedited discovery in the case.
Apple also voiced up about the possible use of its confidential information with AI systems. Reports on the court filing suggest Liu allegedly used the circuit schematic while working with an AI agent on engineering-related tasks. Apple argued that once confidential information is used in this manner, its continued use could become difficult to contain.
OpenAI has denied Apple’s earlier allegations
For the unversed, OpenAI has previously rejected Apple’s accusation and defended Liu’s access to the files. The company said he accessed Apple information after leaving the company to assist former colleagues and argued that continued access was the result of Apple’s own failure to properly revoke system permissions. Apple, however, has claimed that Liu exploited a previously unknown authentication flaw to access confidential files after leaving the company.
On the other hand, Apple wants a preliminary injunction which can prevent OpenAI from using technology allegedly based on Apple’s trade secrets while the case continues. It is also asking the court to speed up the evidence-gathering process, arguing that other former Apple employees could be connected to the matter.
