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Apple's Legal Win: Court Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Docs

Apple Scores Early Victory in Trade Secret Battle

A federal judge has handed Apple a preliminary win in its legal fight against OpenAI. The court ruled that Apple can fast-track access to recruitment materials from OpenAI, according to a ruling unsealed this week. At the center of the dispute: allegations that OpenAI poached Apple employees to build consumer hardware that could rival the iPhone.

What the Court Approved

Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to review documents related to OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews. These candidates were eyeing roles in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions, right around the time rumors of OpenAI's first hardware device started swirling. The materials could include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demos, and any records showing that Apple technology or components came up during interviews.

OpenAI must hand over the organized materials within 5 days, and complete the rest within 14 days. The judge also gave Apple 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 three are former Apple employees.

The Espionage Allegations

Apple's complaint doesn't mince words. It claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops—unpublished technical specs, engineering demos, and exclusive project data. Even more damning: some former Apple staff now at OpenAI are accused of coaching 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 what has Apple worried.

Not Everything Went Apple's Way

But the judge didn't give Apple everything it asked for. Requests for expedited discovery on 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 far from over.

Key Points:

  • Court orders OpenAI to provide recruitment documents within 5 days, remainder in 14 days.
  • Apple gets access to LINE chats and depositions of three former Apple employees now at OpenAI.
  • Judge denied some of Apple's broader discovery requests but allows reapplication.
  • Allegations involve stolen chip blueprints and interview coaching.
  • The case highlights escalating tensions over hardware competition.