Apple seeks its own review of forensic evidence in OpenAI trade-secret case · Digg

Apple seeks its own review of forensic evidence in OpenAI trade-secret case

Apple has asked the court overseeing its trade-secret lawsuit against OpenAI and other defendants to let its experts inspect forensic images and to obtain hardware R&D material.

2 Sources, 13h ago, first seen 13h ago

TLDR

Apple has asked for access to forensic images that defendants’ experts used in its trade-secret case against OpenAI and others, according to a joint court filing described by 9to5Mac. Apple says its expert found potential flaws involving files on former employee Chang Liu’s Mac mini, while OpenAI disputes Apple’s allegations and says the discovery requests are too broad. The filing is a procedural fight over evidence, not a court finding that Apple’s trade-secret claims are proved.

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Apple is asking the court in its trade-secret lawsuit against OpenAI and other defendants to let its own experts inspect forensic images used by the defense, adding a new evidence dispute to a case already centered on former Apple employees and OpenAI’s hardware work.

9to5Mac reported that the request appeared in a joint filing after the court asked the sides to lay out their competing positions on expedited discovery. Apple also wants documents tied to parts of OpenAI’s hardware research and development.

Apple sued former employees, OpenAI and io Products in early July, alleging trade-secret misappropriation. The company says confidential information was taken as employees left and was used for the benefit of OpenAI. Those are allegations in an ongoing civil case, and OpenAI has denied wrongdoing.

The dispute over device evidence

Apple says one of its forensic experts has identified what it calls critical flaws in the defendants’ analysis of devices associated with former Apple employee Chang Liu. According to the filing described by 9to5Mac, Apple specifically points to alleged failures to locate files on Liu’s Mac mini and disputes the conclusion that zero-byte files or an empty last-used metadata field prove files were not accessed.

The parties disagree not only about the meaning of the device evidence but also about how quickly discovery should proceed. Apple argues that earlier access is needed because OpenAI’s hardware development is continuing and any alleged use of confidential information could become more difficult to untangle. OpenAI says Apple has not shown that a separate expedited process is justified and characterizes the requests as overly broad.

The court has not resolved those claims in the reported filing. The immediate issue is whether Apple’s experts may examine the underlying forensic material and how much hardware-related evidence Apple may obtain while the broader litigation continues.

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@9to5macApple challenges OpenAI’s forensic analysis in trade secrets case, seeks access to hardware R&D https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/21/apple-challenges-openais-forensic-analysis-in-trade-secrets-case-seeks-access-to-hardware-rd/ by @mvcmendes @TechmemeApple v. OpenAI: Apple asks the court to let its own experts review forensic images used in the case, and seeks documents tied to parts of OpenAI's hardware R&D (@mvcmendes / 9to5Mac) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

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Apple seeks its own review of forensic evidence in OpenAI trade-secret case

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The dispute over device evidence

Apple seeks its own review of forensic evidence in OpenAI trade-secret case

2 Sources

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The dispute over device evidence

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The dispute over device evidence

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The dispute over device evidence

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