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Apple's trade secret fight with OpenAI heats up as judge orders recruitment records

Apple vs. OpenAI: Judge Orders Recruitment Records in Trade Secret Spat

In the ongoing legal showdown between Apple and OpenAI, a federal judge has just made a key ruling: Apple can fast-track access to recruitment materials from OpenAI. The court approved Apple's request to review documents tied to "OpenAI's contact with Apple employees before interviews"—specifically, applicants aiming for roles in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions. The timing is no accident, coming just before rumors of OpenAI's first hardware device began swirling. The materials could include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demos, and any records mentioning Apple technology or components.

Judge Edward Davila gave OpenAI a tight deadline: hand over the organized materials within 5 days, with the rest due in 14 days. He also greenlit 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 three formerly worked at Apple.

Allegations of Espionage Target Chips and Blueprints

Apple's complaint isn't vague. It claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential info using company laptops: unpublished specs, engineering demos, exclusive project data. Even more damning, some who jumped to OpenAI are accused of "coaching" potential leavers on what to bring to interviews. At the heart of it? OpenAI is developing consumer hardware that could rival the iPhone—and that's exactly what has Apple worried.

But the judge didn't give Apple everything. Requests for expedited discovery on specific research like metal surface treatment and power management were denied, along with broader hardware research materials and output from "former Apple employees after joining." Davila did leave a door open: Apple can narrow its scope and reapply. This trade secret battle is clearly far from over.

Key Points

  • Court ruling: Judge approves Apple's request for OpenAI recruitment materials, including interview lists and scripts.
  • Deadlines: OpenAI must provide organized materials in 5 days, remaining in 14 days.
  • Depositions: Ordered for Liu Chang, Peng Ailisa, and Deng Yaotan—all ex-Apple employees now at OpenAI.
  • Allegations: Former Apple employees allegedly downloaded confidential data and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Partial denial: Apple's requests for certain technical research materials were rejected, but it can reapply with a narrower scope.