A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with expedited access to certain hiring records amid the ongoing trade secrets lawsuit filed by Apple against OpenAI in July 2026. The court ruling specifically allows Apple to review materials related to interviews conducted by OpenAI with former Apple employees who applied for positions in its consumer hardware and robotics divisions. This includes interview guides, checklists, scripts, technical presentations, and any documentation indicating that discussions referenced Apple technology or components.

Apple’s lawsuit accuses OpenAI of a pattern of trade secret theft, alleging that some former Apple employees improperly downloaded confidential Apple information from work laptops and brought proprietary data, such as unannounced technology details and internal project information, to OpenAI. Apple also claims that these former employees coached others who were leaving Apple for OpenAI on what sensitive information to bring during their interview process. This legal action comes as OpenAI is reportedly working on its first hardware device, potentially positioning it as a future competitor in the consumer electronics market.

While the court granted Apple access to these interview-related documents, as well as private messages exchanged on the LINE app between key individuals including OpenAI employees Chang Liu, Alyssa Peng, and hardware chief Tang Yew Tan—all three of whom formerly worked at Apple—the judge denied a broader request for expedited access to OpenAI’s complete hardware research or development records. The decision allows depositions of these individuals but restricts Apple from immediately obtaining detailed information on OpenAI’s specific R&D efforts in areas like metal finishes and power management.

The judge’s ruling signals a willingness to balance the discovery process with protecting OpenAI’s sensitive proprietary information, though Apple retains the option to narrow its requests and seek further access. With the litigation ongoing, this disclosure could shed light on whether OpenAI misappropriated Apple’s trade secrets as it races to establish itself in the consumer hardware space, potentially vying with Apple's products in the future.