Apple Seeks Expedited Discovery in OpenAI Trade-Secret Lawsuit

Apple is asking for “expedited discovery” in its legal battle with OpenAI, saying there is a risk that evidence is being destroyed. The claims appeared in a filing on Monday, following an earlier report by Bloomberg.

Apple alleges that OpenAI only recently provided a MacBook used by former employee Chang Liu, who is at the center of the lawsuit. Apple says OpenAI had possessed the company-owned laptop since the lawsuit began in July but did not inspect it. After OpenAI provided the MacBook on August 21st, Apple’s inspection allegedly found that Liu had downloaded a confidential Apple circuit schematic and used it in his work at OpenAI.

Apple also claims that Liu and others at OpenAI knew he still had access to Apple’s third-party cloud storage system. The inspection allegedly uncovered messages discussing the need to “restore” and then “start using” Apple-owned devices after Liu learned about Apple’s internal investigation in June.

Apple says logs, metadata, usage records, and other forensic artifacts can be lost, overwritten, or destroyed. OpenAI calls the dispute “a mess of Apple’s own making” and says there is no evidence that Liu accessed Apple information improperly or had any use for confidential information.