At a Glance
Apple says OpenAI is destroying evidence tied to alleged trade-secret theft.
Former Apple engineer Chang Liu is at the center of the case.
Apple says Liu downloaded a confidential circuit schematic and used it at OpenAI.
A federal judge is set to hear arguments on Oct. 1.
OpenAI’s hardware ambitions are adding fresh tension to an already bitter fight with Apple.
Apple has stepped up its legal battle with OpenAI, accusing the ChatGPT maker of withholding evidence and helping destroy material linked to alleged trade-secret theft.
KEY DETAILS
In a court filing Monday, Apple said former iPhone engineer Chang Liu “not only downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic but also used it in his work” at OpenAI.
Liu joined OpenAI in January and is among more than 400 former Apple employees who have moved to the AI company.
Apple said OpenAI only recently handed over a MacBook Liu used after leaving Apple. An initial forensic review allegedly found evidence that Liu and others at OpenAI knew he still had unauthorized access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage.
The laptop also allegedly contained instructions from Liu to an OpenAI colleague about destroying evidence.
OpenAI has defended its recruiting practices and said Liu was trying to help a former Apple colleague when he accessed the cloud data.
WHY IT MATTERS
Apple is seeking damages and an order forcing OpenAI to stop using the alleged trade secrets and destroy proprietary materials. The case could become especially important as OpenAI develops new hardware with former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
The next major focus will be the Oct. 1 hearing and what the court decides about Apple’s demand for faster evidence gathering.
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Source: Yahoo Finance
Time: 2:00 PM EEST
