Apple wins early access to OpenAI documents and employee testimony in trade secrets lawsuit

Judge Edward Davila ruled on Apple's trade secrets lawsuit against former employees Chang Liu and Tang Tan, OpenAI, and io Products. The judge granted expedited discovery requests, ordering defendants to turn over forensic images and interview documents related to Apple employee recruitment. Apple was authorized to depose Liu, Tan, and Alyssa Peng, along with OpenAI and io Products corporate representatives.

However, the judge rejected Apple's request for expedited access to OpenAI's R&D documents regarding metal finishes, power management, and battery functionality, directing those to the regular discovery process. Additionally, the judge postponed decisions on "Apple Originated Information," finding Apple's definition "amorphous as currently defined," giving the company five days to submit a narrower definition. The ruling also addressed deposition limits and document production deadlines within federal discovery rules.

法官爱德华·达维拉就苹果公司对前员工张刘、唐坦、OpenAI及io Products提起的商业秘密诉讼作出裁定。法官批准了紧急取证请求，要求被告提供与苹果员工招聘相关的法医图像和面试文件。苹果获准对刘、坦及艾莉莎·彭进行取证，同时可传唤OpenAI和io Products的公司代表。然而，法官驳回了苹果对OpenAI关于金属表面处理、电源管理和电池功能研发文件的紧急访问请求，指示这些文件按常规取证程序处理。此外，法官推迟了对“苹果原始信息”的裁定，认为苹果目前的定义“过于模糊”，并要求该公司在五天内提交更精确的定义。该裁定还涉及联邦取证规则下的取证限制和文件提交截止日期。