0
Apple store in Brooklyn, New York. / AP, Yonhap

In its lawsuit against OpenAI, Apple has submitted new evidence to the court supporting its claims that a former employee utilized Apple's confidential information for work at OpenAI and attempted to destroy evidence.

According to a report by TechCrunch, Apple claimed in court documents filed on the 31st of last month (local time) that a former Apple employee used Apple's confidential circuit schematics while working at OpenAI.

The individual currently works at OpenAI, and new circumstances were reportedly brought to light after his former Apple work laptop was submitted to Apple through legal representatives earlier this month.

Apple alleged that Liu also used a tool at OpenAI that bore the same name as an internal Apple engineering application. In addition, Apple pointed out that OpenAI was fully aware that the employee had access to Apple data.

In its court filing, Apple asserted that the employee's MacBook represents "very limited information that the defendants provided after weeks of delay," arguing that it demonstrates "Apple is not conducting indiscriminate data collection, but rather that its trade secrets are being used and evidence is being destroyed."

A significant portion of the specific evidence submitted this time has been redacted from public view. However, earlier materials submitted by Apple reportedly included text messages indicating Liu was aware he still had access to Apple files even after leaving the company.

OpenAI has maintained in counterarguments that his access to Apple files after departure was intended to assist former colleagues with work upon their request. In particular, regarding the residual access rights claimed by Apple, OpenAI argued that it was a common issue stemming from Apple's failure to properly manage system access permissions for departing employees.

Apple has requested a preliminary injunction from the court to prevent OpenAI from developing hardware based on Apple technology while the lawsuit is underway. TechCrunch also reported that Apple demanded the evidence-gathering process be expedited, noting the possibility that additional former employees may be involved in the case.

According to Apple's initial complaint, more than 400 former Apple employees are currently working at OpenAI.

                                                                                                           Jeong A-reum