Apple has won an early legal victory in its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, io Products, and two former employees. A California federal judge has granted Apple access to internal documents and employee testimony sooner than would happen in standard litigation.
What’s Going On
The dispute centers on Apple’s claim that former staffers Chang Liu and Tang Tan misused confidential information to aid OpenAI’s hardware efforts. Apple also alleges that these individuals improperly obtained secrets from Apple’s own recruitment interviews. To stop further alleged misuse, Apple sought a preliminary injunction and requested expedited discovery to collect evidence ahead of schedule.
The Judge’s Ruling
Judge Edward Davila approved most of Apple’s requests today, ordering the defendants to hand over internal documents, forensic data, and communications. Key items include forensic images already gathered by OpenAI’s experts; any documents used in Apple employee interview processes—such as guides, checklists, manuals, or technical interview materials; and private messages exchanged over LINE between Liu and Yu-Ting “Alyssa” Peng since January 1, 2026.
The court also cleared the way for Apple to depose the former employees in question—plus Peng—and corporate representatives from both OpenAI and io Products.
Limits Imposed
However, not all of Apple’s demands were approved. Judge Davila declined to require early access to documents tied to OpenAI’s research and development in metal finishes, power management, and battery functionality. Those will proceed through normal discovery procedures. Another request related to “Apple Originated Information” was postponed; the judge found Apple’s definition of the term too vague and has given Apple five days to propose a narrower version.
The ruling also clarifies whether the expedited depositions will count against federal discovery limits and sets deadlines for document submission and witness testimony.
This development deepens a dispute that began earlier in 2026. Apple’s lawsuit asserts that Liu and Tan not only leaked trade secrets but also accessed sensitive information via Apple’s own hiring process to benefit OpenAI’s consumer hardware group. OpenAI had pushed back, arguing Apple’s discovery requests were too sweeping and premature.
Today’s ruling marks an important step forward for Apple: access to internal interview materials, messaging, and forensic evidence could provide insight into whether sensitive Apple tech was misused. Granting these early tools puts pressure on OpenAI and the individuals named to respond.
The judge’s decision draws clear lines around what is allowed and what will require more thorough review. It reveals how trade secrets lawsuits are being handled in high-stakes tech settings—highlighting accelerating tensions over hardware development, hiring, and competitive intelligence.
What this means is serious: Apple is now empowered to dig into the heart of OpenAI’s hardware strategies, especially any foundations built using info alleged to belong to Apple. If the expedited evidence reveals misuse, it could upend parts of OpenAI’s product roadmap, and it raises broader questions about how companies safeguard sensitive R&D in an age of rapid AI advancement. Keep an eye on what Apple defines as “Apple Originated Information” and how the court treats those boundaries—those may decide how wide the net of liability gets.
