The ruling grants Apple access to recruitment documents and selected communications involving former employees, while rejecting broader requests for OpenAI's hardware research records.
A US federal judge has ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with hiring-related documents as part of an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit, allowing the iPhone maker to examine recruitment materials involving former Apple employees who sought positions within OpenAI's hardware and robotics divisions.
The ruling, issued by US District Judge Edward Davila, grants Apple expedited access to specific documents connected to interviews conducted by OpenAI. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by Apple in July 2026, alleging the misuse of confidential company information.
Under the order, OpenAI must produce relevant materials already collected within five days, while additional documents covered by the ruling must be submitted within 14 days.
The requested records may include interview guidelines, checklists, manuals, scripts and technical presentations used during recruitment. Apple will also be permitted to examine records indicating whether confidential Apple technologies or components were discussed during the hiring process.
Apple has alleged that former employees transferred confidential information before joining OpenAI, including materials related to unreleased technologies, product features, engineering specifications and proprietary development projects.
The company has further claimed that some former employees working at OpenAI advised prospective recruits on what information to bring to their interviews.
These allegations remain part of the ongoing litigation and have not been established as proven wrongdoing by the court.
The judge also authorised access to certain private messages exchanged through LINE, a messaging application, involving individuals named in the lawsuit.
The ruling permits depositions of former Apple employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, both associated with OpenAI, along with Tang Yew Tan, OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer.
However, the court did not approve all of Apple's requests.
Judge Davila rejected Apple's attempt to obtain expedited access to OpenAI's research and development materials concerning areas such as metal finishes and power management.
The court also declined broader requests seeking information about OpenAI's hardware research and work undertaken by former Apple employees after joining the AI company.
Apple may submit narrower requests for some of these materials as the legal proceedings continue.
The dispute comes as OpenAI expands its ambitions beyond software-based artificial intelligence services into consumer hardware development.
The company has been working on a potential AI-powered consumer device, although details regarding its specifications, commercial availability and launch timeline remain limited.
The legal proceedings highlight the scrutiny surrounding recruitment practices and intellectual property protection as technology companies compete to develop new AI-enabled hardware products.
For Apple, the discovery process will provide access to selected recruitment records that could be relevant to its allegations.
For OpenAI, the ruling establishes specific disclosure requirements while limiting access to broader internal research materials at this stage.
The case remains ongoing, with the court yet to determine the merits of Apple's trade secrets claims.
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