A federal judge has ruled that Apple can get early access to some of OpenAI’s hiring records in the trade secrets lawsuit Apple filed against OpenAI in July, according to TechCrunch [1].
What the judge allowed
According to TechCrunch, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila agreed that Apple can see documents tied to OpenAI’s interviews with former Apple employees who applied to work in OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics groups [1]. TechCrunch said these could include interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals and scripts, as well as technical presentations and records showing that interviews referred to Apple technology or components [1].
OpenAI has five days to hand over material it has already collected and 14 days for the rest, TechCrunch reported [1].
The judge also allowed Apple to see private messages sent on the LINE messaging app between people named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and approved depositions (questioning under oath) of Liu, Peng and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan [1]. TechCrunch noted that all three previously worked at Apple [1].
What he refused
Judge Davila did not grant everything. According to TechCrunch, he refused to fast-track Apple’s access to OpenAI’s research and development in areas such as metal finishes and power management, and turned down broader requests, such as access to OpenAI’s hardware research [1]. That refusal is not final: TechCrunch reported that Apple can narrow its requests and try again [1].
What Apple alleges
Apple accuses OpenAI of a pattern of trade secret theft. As described by TechCrunch, Apple’s complaint alleges that former employees used Apple laptops to download confidential files about unannounced products, and that ex-Apple staff at OpenAI coached others on what information to bring to interviews [1]. These are allegations that have not been proven in court.
The dispute comes as OpenAI works on its own consumer hardware device [1].
What this means
- This is an early procedural step. Expedited discovery lets one side collect evidence sooner. It is not a ruling on whether anyone took trade secrets.
- Hiring practices are under the spotlight. The records Apple will see focus on how OpenAI interviewed people coming from Apple.
Sources
- TechCrunch (Sarah Perez), “Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case”, 13 October 2026. https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/13/judge-orders-openai-to-turn-over-hiring-records-in-apple-trade-secrets-case/
