Trade Secret Theft: Apple Exposes Evidence Against Ex-Engineer in OpenAI Lawsuit

Apple submitted new evidence in its ongoing trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI, targeting former hardware engineer Chang Liu. The fresh court filings surfaced after OpenAI attorneys handed over Liu’s old Apple work laptop for forensic inspection earlier this month.

In the updated filing, Apple claims Liu used a confidential Apple circuit schematic while performing hardware work at OpenAI. Apple also alleges that Liu accessed a custom internal software tool sharing a direct name with an Apple internal engineering application. Apple claims OpenAI executives knew about Liu’s access to proprietary files, and that Liu recruited another former Apple colleague, Yu-Ting Peng, to cover his tracks and delete evidence once he learned Apple launched an investigation in June.

Apple legal counsel emphasized that analyzing the laptop provided vital proof of ongoing IP theft. The filing states that Apple is not running a fishing expedition, but rather protecting proprietary designs from active destruction.

While courts redacted specific technical details from public view, previous court records included text messages sent by Liu featuring laughing emojis while discussing his continued access to internal Apple databases after leaving the firm.

OpenAI defended Liu in a public statement, claiming he only accessed Apple files to help former colleagues who reached out for assistance. OpenAI argued that residual file access happens frequently when employees leave tech firms, pointing to lax access controls on Apple’s side.

Apple rejected those claims, stating that Liu took advantage of a rare authentication flaw to maintain unauthorized access to internal networks long after his official resignation date.

Apple requested a preliminary injunction to prevent OpenAI from building hardware using Apple technology while the court case proceeds. Apple also asked for expedited discovery to speed up evidence collection, citing concerns that other former employees might be involved in taking corporate files.

Court records show that over 400 former Apple employees currently work at OpenAI, raising significant concerns for Apple as competition in the hardware space heats up.

When high-level engineers switch sides between rival tech companies, tracking intellectual property becomes extremely difficult. Tech companies use strict non-disclosure agreements, but monitoring digital files across personal and corporate devices creates continuous legal friction.

This legal fight highlights the aggressive battle for top talent in Silicon Valley. As hardware companies race to build fast, custom processors, keeping trade secrets secure requires constant internal security updates.

When employees transition to direct competitors, companies face huge risks regarding digital file security. Simply turning off email access does not always stop determined individuals from downloading stored technical files. Tech firms must enforce zero-trust access policies, monitor file transfer logs, and immediately block access to internal servers the moment an employee submits notice. Protecting sensitive circuit designs and custom code relies on proactive monitoring rather than relying on legal battles after files leave the building.