Skip to main content

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

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

In the ongoing legal battle between Apple and OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft, a federal judge has handed Apple a partial victory. The court ruled that Apple can obtain recruitment-related materials from OpenAI, marking a significant step in the case.

What the Court Approved

Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to review documents concerning "OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews." These applicants were eyeing positions in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics departments—right around the time rumors of OpenAI's first hardware device were heating up. The materials could include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demonstrations, and records showing whether "Apple technology or components were mentioned during interviews."

OpenAI must provide the organized materials within 5 days and complete the rest within 14 days. The judge also allowed Apple to access private LINE chat records involving OpenAI employees Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa, and ordered out-of-court depositions of the two, along with hardware chief Deng Yaotan—all of whom previously worked at Apple.

The Espionage Allegations

Apple's complaint is detailed: it alleges former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops, including unpublished technical specifications, engineering demonstrations, and exclusive project data. Even more, former Apple employees who joined 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—a prospect that clearly has Apple on edge.

Not Everything Went Apple's Way

However, the judge didn't rubber-stamp all of Apple's requests. Apple's bid for expedited discovery of specific research materials—like metal surface treatment and power management—was denied, as was its request for broader hardware research materials and output from "former Apple employees after joining." But Davila left the door open: Apple can narrow its scope and reapply. This trade secrets fight is far from over.

Key Points

  • Court ruling: Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to obtain recruitment materials from OpenAI, including interview lists and records of Apple technology mentions.
  • Timeline: OpenAI must provide organized materials within 5 days and complete the rest within 14 days.
  • Depositions: Apple can access private LINE chats of Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa, and depose them and hardware chief Deng Yaotan.
  • Allegations: Apple claims former employees downloaded confidential specs and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Partial denial: Judge denied Apple's request for expedited discovery of specific research materials but allowed reapplication with narrower scope.