Apple claims these individuals possess confidential information regarding its battery technology, power management systems, and metal-finishing processes, which are allegedly being used to develop OpenAI’s upcoming consumer hardware.
The legal battle highlights the intensifying competition in AI infrastructure and consumer electronics.
Apple argues that "entanglement"—where its proprietary trade secrets become deeply integrated into a competitor's product—presents an immediate risk that must be addressed before OpenAI’s hardware is released.
To support its claims, Apple is challenging findings from OpenAI’s forensic experts, asserting that previous investigations failed to properly identify accessed files on a Mac Mini used by Liu.
OpenAI has countered that Apple’s requests are an overbroad "fishing expedition" intended to snoop on its research and development.
OpenAI’s legal team maintains that their hardware finishes and power systems were developed through independent trials rather than misappropriated data.
While Apple seeks a 14-day turnaround for these records to prepare for a preliminary injunction hearing, OpenAI has proposed a standard 21-day discovery timeline, arguing that any potential product launch is not scheduled until late February 2027.