Apple submits new evidence in trade-secrets suit against ex-employee now at OpenAI
Apple has filed fresh court evidence, including a forensic review of former engineer Chang Liu's old work laptop, alleging he used a confidential Apple circuit schematic and an internally named engineering tool while working at OpenAI. Apple also claims Liu enlisted OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to destroy evidence once he learned of the investigation, and that he exploited an authentication flaw to retain system access after leaving.
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The dispute could shape how courts treat 'residual access' claims when employees move between rival tech companies, especially as AI firms increasingly poach hardware talent. If Apple secures its requested injunction, it could delay or block OpenAI's hardware ambitions and set a precedent for stricter offboarding and trade-secret enforcement across the industry.
- Apple submitted new laptop-based evidence alleging trade secret misuse by ex-employee Chang Liu at OpenAI.
- Apple claims evidence destruction was coordinated with another OpenAI employee, Yu-Ting Peng.
- Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to block OpenAI from advancing hardware work tied to the alleged stolen data.
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Published there as: “Apple shares ‘shocking evidence’ against former employee accused of stealing company data for OpenAI”
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