# Judge Orders OpenAI To Turn Over Hiring Records In Apple Case

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/31500
Published: 2026-10-13T20:40:39.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-13T20:40:39.000Z
Section: Regulation

> OpenAI has five days to produce materials already collected and 14 days to provide other records covered by the order.

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with hiring records, private LINE messages and depositions in a trade secrets lawsuit involving former Apple employees and OpenAI’s hardware efforts.

OpenAI must produce materials it has already collected within five days and provide other records covered by the order within 14 days. The documents may include interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, scripts, technical presentations and records showing discussions of Apple technology or components.

Apple can also obtain private LINE messages involving OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. Davila approved depositions for Liu, Peng and OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan. All three previously worked for Apple.

Apple’s lawsuit accuses former employees of downloading confidential files and information using Apple laptops. The materials allegedly included details about unannounced products, technologies, technical specifications, engineering presentations and proprietary project data. Apple also alleges that former employees coached others who were considering jobs at OpenAI on information to bring to interviews.

Davila rejected Apple’s request for expedited access to OpenAI research involving areas such as metal finishes and power management. He also denied broader requests for OpenAI hardware research and information about what former Apple employees created while working at OpenAI.

The judge left open the possibility that Apple could narrow those discovery requests and submit them again.