# Apple-OpenAI trade secret litigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/apple-openai-trade-secret-litigation > Updated: 2026-10-13T19:49:00.000Z. Sources: 73. Developments: 2. Apple and OpenAI are engaged in a federal trade secret misappropriation lawsuit involving allegations that former Apple employees illicitly transferred confidential hardware engineering information to benefit OpenAI and Jony Ive’s startup, io Products. Apple is seeking a preliminary injunction to protect proprietary data regarding metal-finishing and power-management processes. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila has ordered OpenAI to expedite the release of recruitment records related to former Apple employees. OpenAI must provide collected materials within five days and any other requested documents within 14 days. This includes interview checklists, guides, manuals, scripts, and technical presentations used for OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics teams. Apple intends to use these to determine if proprietary technologies were discussed during recruitment. Furthermore, the judge authorized Apple to review private LINE messages between former Apple employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and approved depositions for Liu, Peng, and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan. While the court granted expedited discovery for these specific hiring materials and messages, it denied Apple’s broader requests for access to OpenAI’s general research and development files regarding power management and metal finishes. In a counter-allegation, OpenAI filed a petition claiming a former employee transferred over 100 files regarding an unreleased product to a personal account and subsequently presented that information to Apple executives. OpenAI claims this individual expressed concern that Apple’s engineers might use these secrets to shape upcoming products, such as the recently announced HomeView. Apple has denied these claims, stating it has found no evidence of such misconduct. ## Claims - Apple denied allegations of misappropriating OpenAI trade secrets. (corroborated by 20 sources) - OpenAI alleges an ex-employee transferred over 100 files to a personal account before presenting to Apple executives. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with expedited access to hiring records. (corroborated by 13 sources) - OpenAI must deliver already collected documents within five days. (corroborated by 10 sources) - OpenAI must deliver other related materials within 14 days. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Apple alleges former employees used Apple laptops to download confidential materials. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The judge approved depositions for Chang Liu, Alyssa Peng, and Tang Yew Tan. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The court authorized Apple to access private LINE messages between Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The ex-employee presented OpenAI product plans to Apple senior leadership. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Judge Davila signaled he is highly likely to grant Apple a preliminary injunction against OpenAI and its hardware division. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-13: OpenAI ordered to provide hiring records to Apple in trade secrets dispute A US judge ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with expedited access to hiring records and employee communications in a trade secrets lawsuit involving allegations of misappropriated hardware technology. 68 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/judge-orders-openai-to-provide-recruitment-records-to-apple ### 2026-09-26: OpenAI challenges Apple's new evidence in trade secret lawsuit OpenAI has asked a federal court to strike new evidence and expert testimony submitted by Apple in a trade secret lawsuit involving alleged hardware information theft. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/openai-challenges-apples-new-evidence-in-trade-secret-lawsuit --- Cite as: Apple-OpenAI trade secret litigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/apple-openai-trade-secret-litigation