Judge Orders OpenAI to Turn Over Hiring Records in Apple Trade Secrets Case

Court Grants Expedited Access to Hiring Materials

A federal judge has ruled that Apple will receive expedited access to OpenAI's hiring materials as part of the trade secrets lawsuit the iPhone maker filed against OpenAI in July. The court will allow Apple to review documents connected to OpenAI's interviews with former Apple employees who applied for roles in its consumer hardware and robotics groups, ahead of the rumored launch of OpenAI's first hardware device.

The materials could include interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, and scripts, as well as technical presentations and records showing that interview discussions referenced Apple technology or components. The court gave OpenAI five days to turn over materials it has already collected and 14 days for any other materials related to the request, agreeing with Apple that the documents should be expedited.

Apple Alleges Pattern of Trade Secret Theft

The case comes as OpenAI develops a consumer hardware device that could one day rival the iPhone or smartphones more generally if the AI device becomes a central part of how consumers engage with software and services. In its lawsuit, Apple accused OpenAI of a pattern of theft, including direct complaints about former employees using Apple laptops to download confidential files containing information about unannounced technologies, features, and products, including technical specifications, engineering presentations, and proprietary project data.

Apple also said former Apple employees at OpenAI coached others considering leaving Apple for OpenAI on what information to bring to their interviews, among other allegations.

Judge Limits Some Discovery Requests

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila did not approve all of Apple's requests for expedited access to OpenAI documents and messages relevant to the case. He ruled that Apple could access the interview materials, alongside private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. The judge also approved depositions for Liu and Peng, along with a third individual, OpenAI's chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan. All three are former Apple employees.

However, the judge denied Apple's request to expedite access to OpenAI's research and development in specific areas, such as metal finishes and power management. He also denied several broader discovery requests, including access to OpenAI's hardware research or information about what its former employees created while working at OpenAI. That denial is not final, as the judge left the door open for Apple to narrow its requests and try again.

Sources: Techcrunch Ai