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Apple vs. OpenAI: Court Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Records in Trade Secret Fight

Apple vs. OpenAI: Court Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Records in Trade Secret Fight

A federal judge has handed Apple a partial victory in its trade secret dispute with OpenAI, ruling that the iPhone maker can swiftly obtain recruitment-related documents from the AI company. The order, issued by Judge Edward Davila, requires OpenAI to produce materials concerning its contacts with Apple employees before interviews—specifically for roles in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions. The timing is notable: these hiring efforts occurred just before rumors of OpenAI's first hardware device began circulating.

What the court wants

The documents Apple seeks include interview lists, guidelines, scripts, technical demonstrations, and any records confirming that Apple technology or components were mentioned during interviews. Judge Davila ordered OpenAI to provide organized materials within five days and complete the remaining related materials within 14 days. He also approved Apple's access to private LINE chat records involving OpenAI employees Liu Chang and Peng Ailisa, and ordered out-of-court depositions of the two individuals and hardware chief Deng Yaotan—all of whom previously worked at Apple.

The espionage allegations

Apple's complaint pulls no punches. It claims former Apple employees downloaded confidential information using company laptops, including unpublished technical specifications, engineering demonstrations, and exclusive project data.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 compete with the iPhone—a prospect that clearly has Apple on edge.

Not everything went Apple's way

Judge Davila didn't grant all of Apple's requests. The company's bid for expedited discovery of specific research materials—such as metal surface treatment and power management—was denied, as was its request for broader hardware research materials and output from former Apple employees after they joined OpenAI. However, Davila left the door open: Apple can narrow the scope and reapply. This battle over trade secrets is far from over.

Key Points

  • Judge Edward Davila approved Apple's request to obtain recruitment materials from OpenAI, focusing on hiring for consumer hardware and robotics roles.
  • OpenAI must provide organized documents within 5 days and complete remaining materials within 14 days.
  • Apple can access private LINE chats of two former Apple employees and depose them and hardware chief Deng Yaotan.
  • Apple alleges former employees downloaded confidential data and coached others on what to bring to interviews.
  • Some of Apple's broader discovery requests were denied, but Apple can reapply with a narrower scope.