Story perspectives

Apple seeks injunction over alleged OpenAI schematic leak

9/1/2026

Summary

Apple Sues Liu

Apple filed new evidence alleging former employee Chang Liu used an Apple circuit schematic at OpenAI.
Apple says Liu downloaded dozens of confidential files from Apple’s cloud storage after his departure.
Apple alleges Liu uploaded the schematic to LTspice and simulated it on a Mac mini and MacBook.
Apple seeks a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery, with a hearing set for October 1 before Judge Edward J. Davila.

Summary

OpenAI Poaches Apple

OpenAI hired roughly 400 former Apple employees to boost its new hardware division.
The hiring follows a two-year-old partnership to embed ChatGPT in Apple products.
OpenAI says California law allowing employee moves justifies the recruitment amid a lawsuit.
CEO Sam Altman argues the suit seeks to block competition rather than protect trade secrets.
OpenAI claims the hires could accelerate its entry into consumer devices, challenging Apple’s market share.

History

Historical Context

Apple’s 2011 lawsuit against Samsung, judged by James Donato, yielded a $1.05 billion verdict and an injunction covering more than 30 patents, cementing a precedent for aggressive tech patent enforcement. That ruling now underpins Apple’s 2024 case against former engineer Chang Liu and OpenAI, before Judge Edward J. Davila with an October 1 hearing, potentially extending injunction standards to AI-generated hardware designs.

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Apple Sues Liu

Apple filed new evidence alleging former employee Chang Liu used an Apple circuit schematic at OpenAI.
Apple says Liu downloaded dozens of confidential files from Apple’s cloud storage after his departure.
Apple alleges Liu uploaded the schematic to LTspice and simulated it on a Mac mini and MacBook.
Apple seeks a preliminary injunction and expedited discovery, with a hearing set for October 1 before Judge Edward J. Davila.

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