Overview
- Judge Edward J. Davila on Tuesday ordered expedited production of specific materials, including all forensic images already collected, documents used in interviews of former Apple hires, and LINE messages between named individuals.
- The court authorized early depositions of three former Apple engineers now at OpenAI — Chang Liu, Yu‑Ting “Alyssa” Peng, and Tang Yew Tan — while leaving broader requests for OpenAI R&D on metal finishes, power management and batteries for regular discovery.
- Davila cited a risk of evidence destruction, pointing to reported messages about wiping devices, as a key reason for fast preservation and turnover of device images and communications.
- In a separate filing, OpenAI alleged on Wednesday that a former OpenAI employee transferred more than 100 files about an unreleased OpenAI device to personal accounts and briefed Apple leadership, an allegation Apple says it has found no evidence to support.
- The orders focus the case on fact‑gathering rather than merits, and observers say the outcome of this expedited discovery could affect product timelines, employee testimony, and how both companies protect and recruit hardware talent.