Apple alleges OpenAI built on purloined secrets from a former engineer

Apple's legal filing targets OpenAI over trade secrets

According to НВ — Техно: At 12:02 on September 1, Apple filed an updated submission in its trade-secrets case against OpenAI. The focus is on Chun Liu, a former senior electrical-systems engineer at Apple. Apple alleges that after Liu was dismissed, he accessed the company's cloud storage and downloaded dozens of confidential files.

Downloads and accusations at the center of the case

According to Apple, one downloaded item was an electrical-system schematic that Liu reportedly used for simulations while at OpenAI. On Liu's laptop, the company said it found references to a tool and software packages with names matching Apple's internal engineering tools. Apple further claims that, after becoming aware of an internal inquiry, Liu asked an OpenAI coworker to perform a factory reset on Apple-issued devices.

Apple requested court approval in early August for expedited discovery. The lawsuit now involves 11 former Apple employees, all accused of giving confidential information to OpenAI. OpenAI has denied the allegations, calling Apple's actions "careless, aggressive, and strangely personal."

The case highlights the growing pressure around trade-secret protection in a tech industry marked by fierce competition. As artificial intelligence becomes more central, the potential fallout from leaked proprietary data is a major concern for both companies and innovation. How the court handles this dispute could influence future practices on employee mobility and information sharing, especially when experienced workers move to rivals.

The ongoing legal battles surrounding intellectual property in the tech sector continue to escalate. In a similar case, Anthropic is facing legal action from Sony and Warner over allegations of unauthorized use of song lyrics for AI training. Such disputes underscore the critical importance of protecting proprietary information as companies navigate the complex landscape of innovation and competition.