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Apple expands trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI with new employee allegations

Apple claims in a court filing that a former engineer downloaded proprietary files and ran simulations for OpenAI.

The short version

  • Apple filed new evidence in court alleging former engineer Chang Liu used confidential Apple files while working at OpenAI.
  • The filing claims Liu accessed Apple's cloud storage to download confidential files, including a circuit schematic, and attempted to erase evidence on Apple devices.
  • OpenAI denies wrongdoing, previously characterizing Apple's lawsuit as aggressive and baseless.

Key facts

  • Apple submitted new evidence in a court filing as part of an effort to obtain expedited discovery in its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI.[Engadget]
  • Apple claims a forensic investigation of a laptop used by former engineer Chang Liu showed he downloaded dozens of confidential Apple files, including a circuit schematic used for simulations at OpenAI.[Engadget]
  • Apple alleges Liu instructed a colleague to restore Apple-issued devices to wipe forensic evidence after learning of an internal investigation.[Engadget]
  • Apple previously expanded its claims in August to involve 11 former employees accused of sharing trade secrets with OpenAI.[Engadget]
  • OpenAI has denied all wrongdoing and described Apple's suit as careless, aggressive, and personal.[Engadget]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the court will grant Apple's motion for expedited discovery remains undetermined.[Engadget]

Sources