Apple has accused a former employee who later joined OpenAI of using confidential Apple information to train an AI agent for engineering work.
In a new court filing, Apple says Chang Liu downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic months after leaving the company and later used it while working at OpenAI. The company claims Liu used the schematic with LTspice, an engineering program, while also training an AI agent to operate the software and analyze its results.
Apple says Liu told another person that his AI agent could run LTspice, review the results, and adjust compensation parameters. According to Apple, the AI-assisted process reduced work that previously took him a full day to around two hours.
The allegations form part of Apple’s ongoing trade secrets lawsuit against Liu and another former employee, Tang Tan. Apple filed the case in July, accusing the two former employees of taking confidential company information before and after joining OpenAI.
Forensic Examination Found the Evidence
Apple says Liu kept an Apple-issued MacBook after leaving the company. The company recovered the laptop after filing the lawsuit and conducted a forensic examination.
According to Apple’s latest filing, that examination uncovered evidence that the confidential circuit schematic had been downloaded in March, roughly two months after Liu left Apple.
Apple says Liu used the schematic on a Mac mini. Data from that device later synchronized with the Apple-owned MacBook, allowing the company to identify the activity during its forensic examination.
Apple is now seeking access to the Mac mini and other devices that remain in Liu’s possession.
Apple Claims Liu Knew He Still Had Access
Apple also alleges that Liu and other OpenAI employees knew he still had unauthorized access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage.
The company further claims that Liu instructed an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence after he learned that Apple had begun investigating his activities. Apple says the colleague confirmed that she would comply.
Apple also pointed to Liu’s use of a tool at OpenAI that had the same name as an internal Apple engineering application used during development work.
The company describes the newly discovered material as “shocking evidence” that its trade secrets may still be in active use and that evidence could be destroyed.
Apple Wants Expedited Discovery
The new evidence is being presented as part of Apple’s request for expedited discovery, which would allow the company to obtain information and inspect additional devices before the case proceeds through the normal discovery process.
Apple had already asked the court for expedited discovery earlier this month and separately sought an injunction preventing OpenAI from using the trade secrets it says were taken.
The company argues that the newly uncovered activity makes faster access to the remaining devices particularly important.
OpenAI Wants the Case Dismissed
OpenAI has asked the court to dismiss Apple’s lawsuit, calling the allegations “meritless.”
The company has also publicly described the case as “careless, aggressive and oddly personal,” while saying that it does not have or want Apple’s trade secrets.
OpenAI maintains that it is focused on developing its own products and technologies.
Judge Edward J. Davila is scheduled to hear arguments in the case on October 1.
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