Apple has filed a motion for expedited discovery in its ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the ChatGPT maker failed to preserve critical forensic evidence. According to a legal filing made on Monday, Apple claims OpenAI recently handed over a company-owned MacBook used by former Apple employee Chang Liu, which contained communications discussing the destruction of forensic data required for the legal proceeding.
The lawsuit, originally initiated in July, centers on trade secret theft allegations related to three former Apple employees who joined OpenAI to build AI hardware. Apple alleges that Liu retained confidential circuit schematics and accessed Apple cloud storage systems after joining OpenAI. Apple claims its inspection of the returned laptop revealed active discussions by Liu regarding wiping and restoring hardware after learning of Apple’s internal investigation.
OpenAI rejected the allegations in a counter-filing, asserting that the dispute stems from Apple’s flawed employee exit procedures. OpenAI maintained that there is no evidence Liu inappropriately accessed or used Apple confidential data, arguing that Apple is misplacing blame for its own administrative shortcomings.
Why it matters
Escalates legal risks for OpenAI regarding corporate poaching, trade secret compliance, and IP integrity in hardware development.
Signals aggressive legal tactics by Apple to protect proprietary hardware architectures as AI device competition heats up.
Highlights strict IP containment risks for founders and operators recruiting senior engineering talent from legacy tech giants.
Source: theverge.com
