Apple has submitted new forensic evidence in its lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging a former employee used proprietary hardware designs for the AI firm's projects. This dispute over intellectual property is critical as it could force OpenAI to halt specific hardware research, highlighting the growing tension between AI startups and established tech giants over employee movement and data protection.
Apple has intensified its legal battle against OpenAI by presenting new forensic evidence in its ongoing trade secret lawsuit. The tech giant claims that the evidence, derived from a company-issued laptop, confirms that a former employee accessed and used proprietary hardware schematics for projects at the artificial intelligence startup. This latest filing adds significant pressure to the case, which was originally initiated in July 2026.
At the center of the dispute is the protection of internal engineering secrets. Apple alleges that Chang Liu, who now works for OpenAI, used his former company’s hardware design tools to run simulations while at his new firm. Furthermore, Apple has accused the employee of conspiring with a colleague to destroy digital evidence once he became aware of an internal investigation. These claims suggest that the data use was intentional, contradicting potential arguments that the access was accidental.
OpenAI has strongly denied these allegations, calling the legal action an aggressive and misplaced attack. The company has formally asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit entirely. In its defense, OpenAI argues that any access to Apple’s files was not a case of trade secret theft, but rather a result of Apple’s own failure to properly revoke security credentials for employees who had left the organization. OpenAI maintains that it has no interest in, and has not utilized, any of Apple’s confidential trade secrets.
For investors and market participants, this case underscores the risks associated with the rapid movement of talent in the technology sector. With over 400 former Apple employees currently working at OpenAI, the integrity of intellectual property is becoming a major point of friction. Apple is now seeking a court order known as an injunction, which would legally force OpenAI to stop using the contested technology in its research and development. If the court rules in Apple's favor, it could result in mandatory delays or the restructuring of OpenAI's upcoming hardware initiatives.
The outcome of this litigation will likely set a significant precedent for how major technology companies handle data security and employee migration. The next important update for observers will be the court’s decision regarding the request for an injunction and the motion to dismiss the case. A ruling against OpenAI could materially impact its hardware strategy, while a dismissal would likely be viewed as a significant relief for the startup’s research timeline.