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Apple Gets Court Nod to Peek at OpenAI's Hiring Playbook in Trade Secrets Spat

Apple vs. OpenAI: Court Allows Access to Hiring Records in Trade Secrets Case

A federal judge has granted Apple's request to quickly obtain recruitment-related materials from OpenAI, marking a significant development in the ongoing trade secrets lawsuit. The ruling, issued by Judge Edward Davila, allows Apple to review documents tied to OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews—specifically those who applied for roles in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions. This comes just as rumors swirl about OpenAI's first hardware device.

The materials Apple seeks include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demonstrations, and any records showing that Apple technology or components were mentioned during interviews. Judge Davila ordered OpenAI to hand over organized materials within five days and complete the rest within fourteen days. He also approved Apple's access to 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.

Espionage Allegations Target Chips and Blueprints

Apple's complaint pulls no punches. The company alleges that former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops—including unpublished technical specifications, engineering demonstrations, and exclusive project data. Even more damning, Apple claims that former Apple employees now at OpenAI "coached" potential leavers on what information to bring to interviews. The backdrop? OpenAI is developing consumer hardware that could compete with the iPhone, and that's the root of Apple's concern.

But the judge didn't give 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. However, Davila left the door open: Apple can narrow its scope and reapply. This battle over trade secrets is clearly far from over.

Key Points

  • Court grants Apple access to OpenAI's recruitment materials, including interview scripts and chat logs.
  • Judge orders OpenAI to provide documents within 5 days, with remaining materials due in 14 days.
  • Apple alleges former employees stole confidential data and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Some of Apple's requests were denied, but the company can reapply with a narrower scope.
  • The lawsuit underscores growing tension as OpenAI moves into hardware that could rival the iPhone.