Judge Ordered OpenAI to Disclose Hiring Records
The court approved expedited discovery in Apple's trade secrets case against OpenAI regarding former employees.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Judge Edward Davila granted Apple partial expedited discovery on October 13, 2026, compelling OpenAI to turn over hiring records and internal communications. The order follows allegations that former Apple engineers may have shared trade secrets during the hiring process.
Why it matters
The ruling aims to determine whether former Apple engineers referenced proprietary technology during their interview process at OpenAI. This intervention serves to prevent the potential destruction of evidence while the litigation proceeds.
The court mandated the forensic imaging of existing records and the production of specific LINE messages from January 2026 onward. While hiring records must be produced, the court rejected requests for expedited discovery into OpenAI's battery systems and metal finishing technologies.
The players
Apple
A consumer electronics company known for its integrated hardware and software ecosystems.
OpenAI
An AI research firm that has expanded into specialized hardware development.
Edward Davila
A United States District Judge presiding over the trade secrets litigation.
Chang Liu
A former Apple engineer now employed by OpenAI.
Alyssa Peng
A former Apple engineer now employed by OpenAI.
The details
The court ordered the forensic imaging of devices to recover LINE communication logs between former Apple engineers Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. OpenAI must also surrender interview checklists, technical scripts, and candidate evaluation records to ascertain if applicants disclosed unreleased Apple hardware details. The judge restricted the scope of these disclosures, denying requests to investigate OpenAI's specific internal power management and advanced metal finish research.
Timeline
January 2026: LINE messages were flagged for discovery.
October 13, 2026: Judge Edward Davila granted partial expedited discovery.
October 18, 2026: Deadline for the first document batch and narrow disclosure proposals.
October 27, 2026: Deadline for the delivery of remaining interview documentation.
The Tech Race
This case follows the precedent set by the Waymo vs. Uber trade secret litigation regarding the protection of proprietary hardware specifications during employee mobility. The ruling reflects growing legal scrutiny of how technical knowledge is transferred when specialized engineers move between competing tech giants.
The production of these documents will influence the future direction of hardware development at OpenAI by establishing legal boundaries for hiring. Consumers and industry participants should watch the October 18 deadline for the first release of documents to see which technical areas are prioritized.
The takeaway
The court's decision highlights the intensifying battle over hardware IP as AI firms pivot toward physical product development. Stakeholders should monitor the October 27 deadline for the final delivery of interview documentation as an indicator of whether further, broader disclosures will be required.
Further reading
For broader trends in the industry, see our coverage of Artificial Intelligence.
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