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Apple's Trade Secret Fight with OpenAI Heats Up as Judge Orders Recruitment Docs

Apple vs. OpenAI: Court Grants Partial Discovery in Trade Secret Dispute

A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to hand over recruitment-related documents in Apple's ongoing trade secret lawsuit, marking a significant development in the legal battle between the two tech giants. The ruling, issued by Judge Edward Davila, requires OpenAI to produce organized materials within five days and complete the remaining documents within 14 days.

What Apple Wants—and What It Got

Apple's request centers on 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 rumors of OpenAI's first hardware device began swirling. The materials could include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demonstrations, and records confirming whether "Apple technology or components were mentioned during interviews."

Judge Davila 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 both individuals plus hardware chief Deng Yaotan. All three previously worked at Apple.

Espionage Allegations: Chips and Blueprints

Apple's complaint pulls no punches. The company claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops—including unpublished technical specifications, engineering demos, and exclusive project data. Even more striking, 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 go head-to-head with the iPhone, and that's exactly what has Apple worried.

Not All Requests Approved

The judge didn't give Apple everything it wanted. Requests for expedited discovery on specific research areas like metal surface treatment and power management were denied, along with 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 secret battle is clearly far from over.

Key Points

  • Court order: OpenAI must provide recruitment materials within 5 days, complete remaining documents within 14 days.
  • Access granted: Apple can review private LINE chats of Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa; depositions ordered for them and hardware chief Deng Yaotan.
  • Apple's claims: Former employees downloaded confidential specs and demos; some allegedly coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Denied requests: Expedited discovery on metal surface treatment, power management, and broader hardware research.
  • Next steps: Apple can narrow its request and reapply; the legal fight continues.