Apple v. OpenAI Trade Secrets Case: Judge Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Records of Interviews With Former Apple Employees, but Denies Access to Its Hardware R&D

According to TechCrunch on October 13, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled in Apple's trade secrets case against OpenAI that OpenAI must hand over materials from its consumer hardware and robotics groups' interviews with former Apple employees, potentially including interview checklists, guides, scripts, technical presentations and records showing interviews referenced Apple technology or components, as well as private messages between individuals named in the case; already-collected materials are due within 5 days and other related materials within 14 days. The judge also approved depositions of three former Apple employees, including OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan. Apple's requests for expedited access to OpenAI's R&D in areas such as metal finishes and power management, and broader hardware research, were denied, though Apple may narrow them and try again. Apple sued in July 2026, alleging former employees used Apple laptops to download confidential material on unannounced products and that some coached others on what information to bring to interviews. OpenAI is developing consumer hardware that could compete with the iPhone.

What the judge granted

According to TechCrunch on October 13, U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled in Apple's trade secrets case against OpenAI that OpenAI must hand over materials from its consumer hardware and robotics groups' interviews with former Apple employees. Possible documents include interview checklists, guides, manuals, scripts, technical presentations and records showing interviews discussed Apple technology or components; private messages between individuals named in the case must also be produced. The timeline is tight: materials already collected are due within 5 days, and other related materials within 14 days.

The judge also approved Apple's depositions of three former Apple employees, including OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan.

What the judge denied

Apple wanted more and didn't get it all. Its requests for expedited access to OpenAI's R&D in specific areas such as metal finishes and power management, and for broader hardware research and what former employees created at OpenAI, were denied. The denial isn't final, though: the judge left room for Apple to narrow the requests and try again. TechCrunch's report includes no response from OpenAI to the ruling.

How the case got here

Apple sued in July 2026, alleging a pattern of theft: former employees used Apple laptops to download confidential material on unannounced technologies, features and products, including technical specifications, engineering presentations and project data; Apple also alleges that former employees already at OpenAI coached others planning to leave on what information to bring to their interviews. The backdrop is that OpenAI is developing a consumer hardware device that could eventually compete with the iPhone.

The ruling moves the case into substantive discovery, with the hiring process itself under scrutiny. For companies recruiting hardware talent from big tech, it's a practical reminder: technical discussions in interviews and materials candidates bring leave a record, and in litigation may have to be produced as is. The case is ongoing, and the allegations have not been decided by the court.

via: TechCrunch report