AI news · Apple v OpenAI · courts
Judge gives Apple early access to OpenAI hiring records
The order in Apple’s trade secrets case covers interview materials and sworn questioning of three former Apple staff, and turns down some broader requests.
Apple won part of its bid for early evidence from OpenAI on Tuesday 13 October 2026, when a US federal judge ruled in its trade secrets lawsuit, 9to5Mac reports. Apple sued a few months ago. It accuses two former employees, OpenAI and its hardware company io Products of using Apple’s confidential information to advance OpenAI’s consumer hardware work. OpenAI argued that Apple’s requests were too broad.
Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to hand over the guides and scripts it used to interview Apple staff for its hardware group, along with any presentations recording those interviews, TechCrunch reports. Material OpenAI has already collected is due within five days, and everything else in that category within 14. Apple may also question three former Apple staff now at OpenAI under oath, including hardware chief Tang Tan.
The order also covers forensic images of devices the defendants have already collected, 9to5Mac reports. After Davila declined to fast-track them, OpenAI’s research files on metal finishes, power management and batteries stay on the normal timetable for swapping evidence. The judge found Apple’s description of the information it says originated with it too loose, and left Apple five days to come back with a tighter one.
For anyone hiring from a rival, this order puts the interview guides and scripts in the other side’s hands within 14 days.
Sources
- 9to5Mac: Apple wins early access to OpenAI documents and employee testimony. Checked
- TechCrunch: Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case. Checked
Alexandre S.
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