Apple OpenAI Trade-Secret Lawsuit Escalates
Apple's filing in the Apple OpenAI trade-secret lawsuit cites MacBook forensics and seeks expedited discovery and an injunction raising legal risk.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Apple's supplemental brief cites MacBook forensics showing downloads of a confidential power-converter schematic.
- Apple sought expedited discovery and a preliminary injunction to bar defendants' use of the contested engineering material.
- OpenAI denied theft claims and blamed Apple offboarding and personal-account practices.
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Apple Inc. escalated its Apple OpenAI trade‑secret lawsuit on Aug. 31, 2026, citing forensic analysis of a recovered Apple‑issued MacBook. The company alleges former engineer Chang Liu downloaded and used a confidential power‑converter schematic at OpenAI. Apple requested expedited discovery and a preliminary injunction.
MacBook Forensics and Allegations
Apple filed a supplemental brief on Aug. 31, based on forensic analysis of the MacBook Liu’s counsel provided on Aug. 21. The review found downloads from Apple’s third‑party cloud on March 7, 2026, including a power‑converter circuit schematic and related simulation data. Liu ran LTspice circuit simulations under the “changliu” user profile on March 18, producing output files synced to his iCloud account and the MacBook on April 11.
Apple describes the power‑converter circuit as highly confidential, related to designs used or considered for Apple products. The filing alleges Liu used software packages with names identical to Apple’s internal engineering tools while working at OpenAI. Apple contends Liu applied the circuit information in his OpenAI work and trained an AI agent to perform LTspice simulations and verify results, indicating use of trade‑secret material in AI training workflows.
The filing also alleges evidence destruction. After learning of an internal investigation, Liu instructed OpenAI colleague Yu‑Ting Peng in June 2026 to “restore” Apple‑issued devices, which Apple says was intended to erase forensic evidence. Peng allegedly confirmed compliance. Apple says the MacBook is nearly the only material defendants have produced, and delays in its return, combined with alleged restoration instructions, suggest active spoliation rather than a fishing expedition.
Court Filings and Remedies
The case, assigned number 5:26‑cv‑07078, is before U.S. District Judge Edward Davila in the Northern District of California. Apple’s original complaint, filed earlier in 2026, names OpenAI, its hardware affiliate io Products, and multiple former Apple employees, including Liu and former iPhone engineer Tang Yew Tan. It alleges misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of intellectual‑property agreements under the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act, seeking damages and injunctive relief.
Apple moved for a preliminary injunction on Aug. 3 and filed the supplemental brief to support expedited discovery and temporary restraints. OpenAI filed a motion to dismiss on Aug. 5 and opposed Apple’s injunction request around Sept. 1, denying that former employees stole confidential information. OpenAI argued that Apple’s post‑employment access issues stem from its offboarding and personal‑account practices, noting Apple encouraged use of personal iCloud accounts for work. OpenAI characterized the lawsuit as an attempt to impede recruiting and slow its consumer hardware ambitions.
Apple’s new MacBook evidence and push for accelerated discovery give it grounds to seek faster fact‑finding and interim relief. If granted, expedited discovery or a preliminary injunction could accelerate the litigation timetable and limit defendants’ use of the contested engineering material, potentially affecting OpenAI’s device plans and talent flows.
