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Apple and OpenAI's Trade Secret Spat Gets Real: Court Orders Hiring Docs

Apple and OpenAI's Trade Secret Spat Gets Real: Court Orders Hiring Docs

Apple's legal battle with OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft just took a significant turn. A federal judge has ruled that Apple can swiftly obtain recruitment-related materials from OpenAI, giving the iPhone maker a potential window into whether its former employees spilled secrets during job interviews.

What Exactly Did the Court Approve?

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila greenlit Apple's request to review documents tied to "OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews." These applicants were eyeing roles in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions—right around the time whispers of OpenAI's first hardware device started circulating. The materials could include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demos, and any records showing that Apple technology or components came up during those conversations.

OpenAI has been ordered to produce the organized materials within five days, with the rest due in 14 days. Judge Davila also gave Apple the go-ahead to access private LINE chat records involving OpenAI employees Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa, and ordered out-of-court depositions for them and hardware chief Deng Yaotan—all of whom previously worked at Apple.

The Espionage Allegations: Chips and Blueprints

Apple's complaint pulls no punches. It claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops—unpublished technical specs, engineering demos, exclusive project data. Even more damning, some who jumped ship to OpenAI are accused of coaching potential leavers on what information to bring to interviews. The backdrop? OpenAI is developing consumer hardware that could go head-to-head with the iPhone, and that's what's really got Apple on edge.

Not Everything Went Apple's Way

But the judge didn't hand Apple everything it asked for. Requests for expedited discovery of specific research materials—like metal surface treatment and power management—were denied, along with broader hardware research materials and output from former Apple employees after they joined OpenAI. Still, Davila left the door open: Apple can narrow its scope and reapply. This trade secret showdown is clearly far from over.

Key Points

  • Court ruling: Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to obtain recruitment materials from OpenAI, including interview scripts and records.
  • Timeline: OpenAI must provide organized materials within 5 days, with remaining documents due in 14 days.
  • Depositions ordered: Private LINE chats of Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa are accessible; depositions required for them and hardware chief Deng Yaotan.
  • Apple's allegations: Former Apple employees allegedly downloaded confidential specs and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Partial denial: Apple's request for specific research materials (metal surface treatment, power management) was denied, but Apple can reapply with a narrower scope.