Apple Scores Early Victory in Trade Secrets Case Against OpenAI

In the high-stakes legal showdown between Apple and OpenAI, a federal judge has handed Apple an early victory. Judge Edward Davila ruled that Apple can fast-track access to recruitment materials from OpenAI, marking a significant step in the alleged trade secrets theft case.

The Court's Ruling

At the heart of the matter is OpenAI's aggressive hiring of Apple employees for its consumer hardware and robotics divisions—moves that came just as rumors swirled about OpenAI's first hardware device. Apple wants to know exactly what was said during those interviews. The court agreed, ordering OpenAI to hand over documents related to "OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews." That includes interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demonstrations, and any records mentioning Apple technology or components.

Judge Davila set a tight timeline: OpenAI must provide the organized materials within 5 days, with the remaining documents due in 14 days. He also approved Apple's request to review private LINE chat records involving OpenAI employees Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa, and ordered out-of-court depositions for the two, plus hardware chief Deng Yaotan—all of whom previously worked at Apple.

What Apple Alleges

Apple's complaint pulls no punches. The company claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops—including unpublished technical specifications, engineering demonstrations, and exclusive project data. Even more damning, Apple alleges 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 rival the iPhone, and that's precisely what has Apple on edge.

Not a Total Slam Dunk

But the judge didn't give Apple everything it wanted. Requests for expedited discovery of specific research materials—like metal surface treatment and power management—were denied, as were broader demands for hardware research materials and output from "former Apple employees after joining." Davila did leave the door open: Apple can narrow its scope and reapply. This trade secrets battle, it seems, is far from over.

Key Points

• Court ruling: Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to obtain recruitment materials from OpenAI, including interview lists, scripts, and technical demos.
• Timeline: OpenAI must provide organized materials within 5 days, with the rest due in 14 days.
• Depositions: Apple can access private LINE chats and depose three former Apple employees now at OpenAI.
• Apple's allegations: Former Apple employees downloaded confidential data and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
• Partial denial: Apple's request for specific research materials was denied, but it can reapply with a narrower scope.