Apple Accuses OpenAI of Destroying Lawsuit Evidence

Apple filed a motion on Monday seeking expedited discovery in its ongoing legal battle against OpenAI. The iPhone maker alleges that OpenAI delayed handing over a company-owned MacBook used by former Apple employee Chang Liu, who is at the center of the dispute. According to Apple, OpenAI held the laptop since the lawsuit began in July but did not hand it over until August 21st, failing to inspect the device in the interim.

Upon inspecting the returned laptop, Apple claims it discovered that Liu had downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and utilized it during his employment at OpenAI. Furthermore, Apple alleges the device contained communications showing that Liu and others discussed "destroying the types of forensic data Apple needs." The company claims Liu discussed restoring and using Apple-owned devices after learning about Apple's internal investigation in June, creating a high risk that transient forensic artifacts like logs and metadata have been overwritten.

The legal conflict, which began in July, centers on accusations that OpenAI hired three former Apple employees to steal trade secrets for developing an artificial intelligence device. OpenAI has hit back in its own court filings, calling the situation a "mess of Apple's own making" and criticizing Apple's employee offboarding procedures. The startup maintains there is no proof Liu accessed Apple data improperly or had any use for the proprietary information.

For AI practitioners and industry observers, the case highlights the intensifying battle over intellectual property and talent in the generative AI space. As tech giants race to build proprietary hardware, the legal fallout from high-profile talent poaching is increasingly centering on digital forensics and employee exit protocols.