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Judge Tells OpenAI: Hand Over Hiring Records in Apple Secrets Case

Judge Sets Tight Deadline for OpenAI in Apple Trade Secrets Fight

A US court has ordered OpenAI to hand over hiring records and interview materials in a trade secrets lawsuit filed by Apple. The ruling, issued in a federal court, gives the AI company a tight window to comply.

What OpenAI Must Produce

Under the order, OpenAI has five days to submit the documents it has already collected. The remaining requested materials are due within fourteen days.

The discovery scope covers interview documents tied to former Apple employees who now work in OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics divisions. That includes interview checklists, written explanations, technical presentation slides, and even LINE instant messaging records. The court also approved discovery requests for OpenAI employees Liu Chang, Peng Ailisa, and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yaotan.

Why Apple Is Suing

Apple claims its former employees used company laptops to download confidential materials—including unpublished technical specifications and proprietary project data—before leaving for OpenAI. The lawsuit isn't just about a few files. It raises a bigger question: where do you draw the line between normal talent mobility and trade secret theft?

OpenAI is pushing hard into consumer hardware, developing devices that could eventually compete with the smartphone. That ambition puts it directly in Apple's path. And when engineers jump from one tech giant to another, the line between "what they know" and "what they took" can get blurry fast.

A Case That Could Reshape Talent Wars

The outcome here could have ripple effects across the entire tech industry. Companies in AI and consumer electronics are already fighting fierce battles for top engineers. A ruling that favors Apple could make firms more cautious about how they recruit from competitors—and more aggressive about protecting their trade secrets.

Conversely, a win for OpenAI might reinforce the idea that employees carry their skills and knowledge with them, as long as they don't physically take confidential documents.

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Key Points

  • Court order: OpenAI must submit collected hiring records within 5 days and remaining documents within 14 days.
  • Scope of discovery: Interview checklists, technical slides, and LINE messages related to former Apple employees now at OpenAI.
  • Named individuals: Liu Chang, Peng Ailisa, and Chief Hardware Officer Tang Yaotan are subject to discovery.
  • Apple's allegation: Former employees downloaded confidential specs and project data using company laptops.
  • Broader stakes: The case tests the boundaries of talent mobility and trade secret protection in the AI hardware race.