Overview
- Apple filed new court papers on Aug. 31 that include forensic analysis of a MacBook which it says shows former engineer Chang Liu downloaded confidential power‑conversion schematics.
- Apple alleges those schematics were used in LTspice simulations, synchronized from the MacBook to a Mac mini, and fed into a trained AI agent, which raises the risk that secrets could persist in learnable systems.
- OpenAI has moved to dismiss the case, arguing Apple’s trade‑secret descriptions are vague and that Apple has not produced facts proving theft or misuse of protected materials.
- Apple is asking the court for expedited discovery of additional devices including the Mac mini, monetary damages, and an injunction forcing OpenAI to stop the contested practices and delete confidential material, with a hearing set for Oct. 1, 2026.
- The dispute could reshape hiring and data‑access rules for AI firms because OpenAI employs hundreds of former Apple staff and is exploring consumer hardware, which could make liability over transferred engineering data a business and product risk.