Apple accuses OpenAI of stealing trade secrets and destroying evidence

trade secret lawsuit hardware design theft AI talent poaching forensic analysis intellectual property

Apple has submitted new evidence in its ongoing legal battle against OpenAI, alleging that former employees stole trade secrets related to hardware design and manufacturing. The lawsuit, filed in July, names former Apple engineers Tang Tan and Chang Liu as defendants.

According to court filings, a forensic analysis of a MacBook previously used by Liu revealed that he allegedly accessed and used confidential Apple circuit diagrams for power converters as recently as March, two months after leaving the company. Apple further claims that Liu used these schematics in LTspice simulations to train an AI agent at OpenAI.

In a more serious allegation, Apple asserts that Liu instructed an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence once an internal investigation was launched. OpenAI has vehemently denied these accusations, describing the dispute as a “mess of Apple’s own making.” The AI startup argues that Apple’s security failures, such as encouraging the use of personal iCloud accounts for work, are responsible for the alleged data access issues and that employees have a legal right to pursue new opportunities in the industry.

Entities

Apple · Chang Liu · OpenAI · Sam Altman · Tang Tan · United States District Court for the Northern District of California · Yu Ting Peng

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Apple accuses Tang Tan and Chang Liu of misusing confidential hardware and supply-chain information. nemosnewsnetwork.com · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn · pcformat.pl
[● 5 SOURCES] Chang Liu allegedly instructed an OpenAI colleague to destroy evidence of the data theft. genk.vn · jablickar.cz · smartportal.mk · pcformat.pl · www.computerbase.de
[● 2 SOURCES] OpenAI claims Apple's security issues stem from encouraging employees to use personal iCloud accounts for work. www.itopnews.de · cafef.vn
[● 4 SOURCES] Chang Liu allegedly used Apple's power converter schematics in LTspice simulations at OpenAI. jablickar.cz · smartportal.mk · pcformat.pl · www.computerbase.de
[● 6 SOURCES] Chang Liu used a confidential Apple circuit diagram while working at OpenAI. genk.vn · jablickar.cz · www.letemsvetemapplem.eu · smartportal.mk · pcformat.pl · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and two former employees in July. nemosnewsnetwork.com · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn
[● 3 SOURCES] OpenAI denies all allegations of stealing trade secrets. nemosnewsnetwork.com · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn
[● 5 SOURCES] OpenAI claims the dispute is caused by Apple’s own mismanagement of employee access and security. nemosnewsnetwork.com · www.letemsvetemapplem.eu · cafebiz.vn · cafef.vn · www.itopnews.de