Apple says OpenAI employee accessed circuit plans after joining startup

• Chang Liu, a former Apple senior system electrical engineer, allegedly accessed circuit designs and trained an AI agent using proprietary Apple information while at OpenAI
• The evidence came from a MacBook computer that OpenAI provided to Apple on August 21 as part of ongoing legal proceedings
• Apple is seeking expedited discovery while OpenAI has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming its products are 'entirely new'

Summary:

Apple has escalated its trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that a former Apple employee accessed proprietary circuit designs after joining the AI startup. According to a filing in U.S. federal court on August 31, Chang Liu, a former senior system electrical engineer at Apple, allegedly accessed a power converter circuit schematic and used proprietary Apple information to train an AI agent in March 2026 while working at OpenAI.

The new evidence was discovered on a MacBook computer that OpenAI provided to Apple on August 21 as part of ongoing legal proceedings. Based on these findings, Apple is requesting the court to expedite discovery proceedings in the case.

OpenAI has moved to dismiss Apple's lawsuit, arguing that it is developing "entirely new" products. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest allegations.

Market Implications:

This legal dispute highlights escalating tensions between major technology companies over intellectual property protection and AI development. The case could set important precedents for how trade secrets are handled when employees move between competing tech firms, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI sector. For Apple (AAPL), protecting proprietary hardware designs remains critical to maintaining competitive advantages. For OpenAI, the lawsuit poses potential legal and reputational risks that could impact its partnerships and product development timeline. Investors in both companies and the broader tech sector should monitor this case closely, as outcomes could influence hiring practices, IP protections, and collaboration dynamics across the industry.