---
title: "Judge orders OpenAI to hand Apple some device forensics early in Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit"
url: https://anawords.com/story/apple-openai-trade-secrets-expedited-discovery-ruling
published: 2026-10-14T13:34:49+05:30
updated: 2026-10-14T15:42:09+05:30
section: Policy & Regulation
author: Mayank Sahu
checked: sources checked by AI, approved by editor
version: 2
---

# Judge orders OpenAI to hand Apple some device forensics early in Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit

The court partly granted Apple’s request for fast-tracked evidence, citing a risk that device data could be lost. OpenAI says the lawsuit is baseless.

**In short:** On 13 October 2026, US District Judge Edward J. Davila partly granted Apple’s request for expedited discovery in its trade secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, io Products and former Apple employees, ordering OpenAI to produce certain device forensic images and documents. OpenAI calls the suit baseless.

## The ruling

US District Judge Edward J. Davila on 13 October 2026 partly granted Apple’s request for expedited discovery, or early access to evidence, in its trade secrets lawsuit, Bloomberg Law reports.[^1]

Apple sued OpenAI, OpenAI’s hardware company io Products and former Apple employees in July, alleging a coordinated effort to take confidential information about upcoming Apple products.[^1][^2]

## What OpenAI must hand over

According to Bloomberg Law, the court ordered OpenAI to produce:[^1]

- forensic images of devices it has already collected;
- certain messages between two former Apple employees;
- summaries of certain interviews and documents describing the former employees’ roles at OpenAI.

Two former employees and Tang Tan, Apple’s former hardware design chief, must also give early depositions, along with company representatives.[^1][^2]

## Why the judge agreed

The judge found a real risk that forensic evidence on the engineers’ devices could be lost, pointing to messages about wiping Apple-owned devices, Bloomberg Law reports.[^1] He also said early discovery was needed in case any trade secrets became entangled with OpenAI’s products in ways that could not be undone.[^1]

## What the judge refused

Fast-tracked discovery into OpenAI’s research on metal finishes, power management and batteries was denied and will follow the normal timetable.[^1][^2] The judge called Apple’s definition of “Apple Originated Information” “amorphous as currently defined” and asked Apple to narrow it.[^1][^2]

## Deadlines

TechCrunch reports that OpenAI has five days to hand over materials it has already collected and 14 days for other related materials.[^3] It also reports that the refused requests are not final: the judge left room for Apple to narrow them and ask again.[^3] TechCrunch describes Tang Tan as OpenAI’s chief hardware officer.[^3]

## What each side says

OpenAI says the lawsuit is baseless and a pretext for Apple’s difficulties in hiring and keeping talent.[^1][^2] The ruling does not decide whether any trade secrets were taken.

## What comes next

Bloomberg Law reported a hearing on OpenAI’s motion to dismiss and Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction was set for the following day.[^1]

## Fact ledger

- [Reported] The judge partly granted Apple’s request for expedited discovery on 13 October 2026. (source 1,2,3)
- [Reported] OpenAI must produce device forensic images it has already collected. (source 1,2)
- [Reported] Discovery on metal finishes, power management and batteries was denied for now. (source 1,2,3)
- [Reported] OpenAI says the lawsuit is baseless. (source 1,2)
- [Not known] Whether any trade secrets were taken.
- [Unconfirmed] OpenAI has five days for collected materials and 14 days for others. (source 3)

## Sources

1. [Bloomberg Law: Apple wins early access to OpenAI files in trade secrets suit](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/tech-and-telecom-law/apple-wins-early-access-to-openai-files-in-trade-secrets-suit)
2. [AI Weekly: Apple wins early forensic access in OpenAI trade secrets suit](https://aiweekly.co/alerts/apple-wins-early-forensic-access-in-openai-trade-secrets-suit)
3. [TechCrunch: Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/13/judge-orders-openai-to-turn-over-hiring-records-in-apple-trade-secrets-case/)