Judge gives Apple more access to evidence in OpenAI lawsuit

A judge has handed Apple another partial win in its trade secrets lawsuit over OpenAI's push into consumer hardware. Judge Edward Davila widened the evidence Apple can collect from the two former employees it sued, Chang Liu and Tang Tan, and from OpenAI and io Products. The defendants have up to 14 days to hand over records and answer Apple's questions.

What changed

Apple accuses the defendants of improperly accessing or using its confidential product and technology information to help OpenAI build its own devices. Earlier this month, the judge gave Apple early access to some documents, forensic evidence and employee testimony. He held back on other requests because Apple's definition of "Apple Originated Information" was too broad. Both sides then agreed on a narrower definition, and the judge adopted it with changes.

That opened the door to more. Apple can now seek records on how its former employees handled confidential information, how they used AI tools, and how OpenAI recruits people and develops hardware.

What was not granted

Apple did not get everything. The judge denied requests about OpenAI's own devices and accounts, its internal investigations, and any deletion of confidential Apple information. He also turned down two requests for corporate testimony as too broad at this stage. Apple can still pursue those later through regular discovery.

Nothing here decides who is right. The material does not say whether Apple's preliminary injunction request, which would stop further use of the alleged secrets, has been ruled on.