Apple has expanded its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, and the Apple-OpenAI legal battle just took a sharp turn.

According to the outlet, the iPhone maker reportedly filed new evidence on August 31, 2026, claiming a former employee’s laptop proves proprietary files were accessed and used for it’s hardware business.

The filing centres on Chang Liu, reportedly a former senior system electrical engineer at Apple who now works at OpenAI.

Apple‘s forensic investigation of a MacBook Liu used after leaving the company allegedly revealed he downloaded dozens of confidential files, including a circuit schematic, from Apple’s third-party cloud storage.

What New Evidence Did Apple Present in the Lawsuit?

Apple‘s support document, filed as part of a push for expedited discovery, details findings from Liu’s laptop. The company claims the device showed Liu knew he had access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage and used it to pull “dozens of confidential Apple files”, per the filing.

The most damaging allegation involves a circuit schematic that Liu allegedly used to run simulations during his work for OpenAI. Apple further claims the laptop revealed previously unknown instances of stolen information, stating that Liu “referred to using a tool and related software packages with names identical to proprietary internal engineering tools used at Apple”. This isn’t a vague accusation. Apple’s forensic team reportedly traced specific files, timestamps, and tool names back to its internal systems. The level of detail suggests the company has been building this case methodically since Liu’s departure.

Who Is Chang Liu and Why Does He Matter?

Liu reportedly served as a senior system electrical engineer at Apple, a role that would have given him access to sensitive hardware designs. After leaving, he joined Open, which has been quietly building out its own hardware capabilities.

Apple’s filing alleges that after learning he was the subject of an internal investigation, Liu directed a coworker at OpenAI to “restore” any Apple-issued devices. That instruction, Apple argues, looks like an attempt to wipe evidence. > “The laptop reveals previously unknown instances of stolen information,” Apple stated in its filing, according to the outlet. The timing matters. It’s hardware ambitions have been an open secret in the industry, and Apple appears determined to prove that OpenAI’s engineering team didn’t build its capabilities from scratch.

What Are the Broader Implications for Apple and OpenAI?

This lawsuit sits at the intersection of two tech giants with increasingly overlapping interests. Apple has its own AI strategy, while OpenAI is reportedly exploring custom silicon and hardware partnerships. If Apple proves its trade secrets were used, the consequences could extend beyond damages.

A court could restrict OpenAI from using certain designs or engineering approaches, potentially slowing its hardware roadmap. The case also sends a warning to engineers across Silicon Valley. **When you leave a company with proprietary knowledge, the forensic trail More on Apple open as the story develops.

FAQs

What new allegations did Apple add to the trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI?

Apple added claims that OpenAI employees with prior Apple experience used confidential Apple development data to accelerate OpenAI’s own projects. The new filing alleges that specific former Apple engineers shared proprietary chip designs and model-training techniques with OpenAI’s leadership.