Apple renews push for expedited discovery in OpenAI trade secret misappropriation lawsuit
Apple has submitted its response to OpenAI's attempt to block expedited discovery in its ongoing trade secret lawsuit. Apple wants substantive responses to its written discovery within 30 days and an OpenAI corporate deposition within 50 days.
Intelligence analysis by Llama

Apple is pushing for expedited discovery in its trade secret lawsuit against OpenAI, seeking to uncover the scope of how its proprietary information has been misappropriated. OpenAI has opposed the request, arguing that it is unnecessary and overbroad.
Imagine you're working on a secret project, and someone else steals your ideas and uses them to make their own project. That's what's happening in this lawsuit between Apple and OpenAI. Apple wants to find out how OpenAI got its ideas and stop them from using them. It's like trying to solve a puzzle to figure out who stole the ideas and how they used them.
Analysis
Background
Apple has been embroiled in a trade secret lawsuit with OpenAI, accusing the company of misappropriating its proprietary information. The lawsuit has been ongoing for some time, with Apple seeking to stop OpenAI from using its alleged trade secrets while the case proceeds.
The Request for Expedited Discovery
In its initial filing, Apple asked for an expedited discovery process, which would include early production of documents and communications, forensic imaging of devices and accounts, and depositions of key witnesses. Apple argued that this was necessary to uncover the scope of how its proprietary information had been misappropriated and to prevent further damage.
OpenAI's Opposition
OpenAI and the other defendants opposed Apple's request, arguing that it was unnecessary and overbroad. They claimed that much of the regular discovery process would overlap with Apple's proposed expedited timeline and that Apple's requests were aimed at gaining an improper peek at the corporate defendants' competitive product plans and strategies.
Apple's Response
Apple has now filed its response to OpenAI's opposition, arguing that it has established good cause for expedited discovery and that its request is not moot. Apple also narrowed the timeframe of its document requests to August 1, 2023, and later, and poked at OpenAI's objection that the requests lacked a date limit. Apple reiterates that its urgency comes from concerns that OpenAI and the other defendants could keep using the alleged trade secrets while developing their own hardware, while Apple waits 'months or years' to question key witnesses.
Implications
The outcome of this lawsuit and Apple's request for expedited discovery has significant implications for the tech industry and the use of trade secrets. If Apple is granted expedited discovery, it could potentially uncover the scope of how its proprietary information has been misappropriated and prevent further damage. However, if OpenAI is successful in blocking the request, it could allow the company to continue using Apple's alleged trade secrets while developing its own hardware.
Key points
- Apple has submitted its response to OpenAI's attempt to block expedited discovery in its ongoing trade secret lawsuit.
- Apple wants substantive responses to its written discovery within 30 days and an OpenAI corporate deposition within 50 days.
- OpenAI has opposed the request, arguing that it is unnecessary and overbroad.
- Apple has narrowed the timeframe of its document requests to August 1, 2023, and later.
- The outcome of this lawsuit and Apple's request for expedited discovery has significant implications for the tech industry and the use of trade secrets.
If Apple is granted expedited discovery, it could potentially uncover the scope of how its proprietary information has been misappropriated and prevent further damage. This could lead to a more efficient and effective resolution of the lawsuit, allowing Apple to move forward with its own projects and innovations.
If OpenAI is successful in blocking Apple's request for expedited discovery, it could allow the company to continue using Apple's alleged trade secrets while developing its own hardware. This could lead to further damage to Apple's business and reputation, and potentially even more lawsuits.


