Judge Orders OpenAI to Turn Over Hiring Records in Apple Trade Secrets Case

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Apple will gain expedited access to specific hiring materials from OpenAI in the trade secrets lawsuit filed by the iPhone maker in July 2026. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to produce documents associated with interviews of former Apple employees who applied for roles in OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics groups.

The decision, issued on October 13, 2026, requires OpenAI to turn over materials it has already collected within five days and any other relevant materials within 14 days. The court agreed with Apple that these documents should be expedited to support its request for a preliminary injunction.

Scope of the Discovery Order

The court approved access to a defined set of records, including interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, scripts, and technical presentations. The order also covers records showing that interview discussions included references to Apple technology or components. Additionally, Apple is permitted to view forensic images already collected in connection with the claims.

Judge Davila also approved access to private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. The ruling authorizes depositions for Liu, Peng, and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan. All three individuals are former Apple employees. The depositions are scheduled to take place within 30 days after Apple receives all responses to the permitted document requests.

Allegations and Denials

Apple’s lawsuit accuses former employees of a pattern of theft, alleging they used Apple laptops to download confidential material containing information about unannounced technologies, features, and products. Apple also claims that former employees at OpenAI coached others considering leaving Apple on what information to bring to their interviews.

OpenAI disputes these claims. In its published response, the company stated it "neither possesses nor wants Apple’s trade secrets." OpenAI also argued that some disputed access involved former colleagues requesting assistance and criticized Apple’s management of access after employees departed.

The judge did not grant all of Apple’s requests. Davila denied expedited access to OpenAI’s research and development documents concerning metal finishes, power management, and battery functionality, finding them better suited for ordinary discovery. The court also deferred ruling on requests incorporating the term "Apple Originated Information," finding the definition amorphous. Apple was given five days to confer with defendants and submit a narrower definition if it wishes to pursue those requests.

Why it matters

This ruling represents a procedural development in an ongoing legal dispute rather than a final judgment on the merits of Apple’s claims. The court applied the Ninth Circuit’s good-cause standard, weighing factors such as the pending preliminary injunction and the risk that forensic evidence could be lost or overwritten. Judge Davila credited Apple’s position that forensic artifacts are transient and that early discovery is needed to uncover the scope of any alleged misappropriation.

The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding talent movement between major technology companies, particularly as OpenAI expands into consumer hardware. While the order allows Apple to investigate specific allegations, it does not establish that trade secrets were stolen or determine liability. The outcome will depend on the evidence produced and further proceedings.

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Sources

• techcrunch.com: Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case | TechCrunch
• konsulteer.com: Judge Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Records in Apple Trade Secrets Lawsuit — Konsulteer
• tokenpost.com: Judge Orders OpenAI To Turn Over Hiring Records In Apple Case | TokenPost
• linkedin.com: #aipulse #aipulse #artificialintelligence #ai #cnbctv18market | CNBC-TV18
• applemagazine.com: Apple Wins Limited Early Access to OpenAI Records in Trade Secrets Case - AppleMagazine
• unite.ai: Judge Grants Apple Limited Expedited Discovery in OpenAI Trade Secrets Case – Unite.AI

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.