GoKawiilApple granted early discovery from OpenAI in trade secrets lawsuit over hardware hires
Judge Edward Davila has partially granted Apple's request for expedited discovery in its trade secrets case against former employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan, OpenAI, and io Products. The order requires defendants to hand over forensic images already collected and documents used to guide interviews of Apple candidates for OpenAI's consumer hardware team, while some broader requests were denied or deferred. Apple alleges the two ex-employees misused confidential Apple product information to aid OpenAI's hardware efforts and improperly extracted details from other Apple staff during interviews.
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The ruling gives Apple a head start in gathering evidence before formal discovery begins, which could strengthen its push for a preliminary injunction against further use of the disputed information. The case highlights growing friction between Apple and OpenAI as the latter expands into consumer hardware, a space Apple has long dominated, and could set precedent for how courts treat trade secrets disputes tied to employee recruitment in fast-moving tech rivalries.
- Judge Davila granted Apple early access to forensic images and interview-related documents from OpenAI and former employees.
- Some of Apple's broader discovery requests were denied or left pending further review.
- The case centers on allegations that ex-Apple employees helped OpenAI's hardware unit using confidential Apple information.
Source: 9to5mac.com — Marcus Mendes, 2026-10-13
Published there as: “Apple wins early access to OpenAI documents and employee testimony in trade secrets lawsuit”
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