Apple has presented what it describes as “shocking evidence” in its ongoing legal battle with OpenAI, accusing a former employee who joined the artificial intelligence company of using confidential Apple information in his new role. The latest development has added fresh tension to the dispute between the two technology giants, with Apple alleging that sensitive company data was taken and used for OpenAI’s benefit.
The allegations centre on former Apple employee Chang Liu, who now works at OpenAI. According to Apple’s latest court filing, an examination of Liu’s former Apple work laptop allegedly showed that he had used a confidential Apple circuit schematic while working at OpenAI. Apple also claims Liu used a tool carrying the same name as an internal Apple engineering application.
Apple has further alleged that OpenAI knew about Liu’s access to Apple information and that Liu sought the help of an OpenAI colleague, Yu-Ting Peng, to destroy evidence after learning that Apple was investigating him. The company said the laptop investigation supports its argument that the case is not a broad search for evidence, but rather involves alleged use of Apple trade secrets and the destruction of potentially relevant evidence.
OpenAI, however, has previously defended Liu and disputed Apple’s interpretation of events. The AI company said Liu accessed Apple files after leaving the company only to assist former colleagues who requested his help, arguing that Apple had failed to properly manage access to its systems after employees departed. Apple has countered that Liu allegedly gained continued access by exploiting what it described as a rare and previously unknown authentication bug. The latest evidence remains partly redacted from public court records.
The legal fight could have wider implications for the technology industry, particularly as companies compete aggressively for artificial intelligence talent. Apple is asking the court for a preliminary injunction that could prevent OpenAI from developing hardware based on Apple technology while the case continues. It is also seeking expedited discovery to investigate whether other former employees may be involved. Apple says more than 400 former Apple employees now work at OpenAI, raising the stakes in an increasingly closely watched dispute over intellectual property, employee mobility and the protection of confidential technology.
source: techcrunch
