U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled that Apple can expedite discovery of OpenAI’s hiring records in the trade secrets lawsuit Apple filed in July, while denying some of Apple’s broader requests. The court will allow Apple to review documents tied to OpenAI’s interviews with former Apple employees who applied for roles in its consumer hardware and robotics groups, ahead of the rumored launch of OpenAI’s first hardware device. Those materials may include interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, scripts, technical presentations, and records showing that interview discussions referenced Apple technology or components. OpenAI has five days to hand over materials already collected and 14 days for other related materials.

The case centers on Apple’s allegation of a pattern of theft, including former employees using Apple laptops to download confidential material about unannounced technologies, features, and products, with technical specifications, engineering presentations, and proprietary project data. Apple also claims former Apple employees now at OpenAI coached others considering leaving for OpenAI on what information to bring to their interviews. The dispute comes as OpenAI develops a consumer hardware device that could one day rival the iPhone if it becomes central to how consumers engage with software and services.

The judge did not approve all of Apple’s requests. Alongside the interview materials, Apple may access private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and may depose Liu, Peng, and OpenAI chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, all former Apple employees. However, the court denied expedited access to OpenAI’s research and development in areas like metal finishes and power management, and denied broader requests such as OpenAI’s hardware research or what former employees created while working at OpenAI. That denial is not final; the judge left room for Apple to narrow its requests and try again.