Judge grants Apple limited access to OpenAI hiring documents in trade-secrets lawsuit
A U.S. district judge ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with interview materials and certain messages from former Apple employees, while denying broader discovery requests.
A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to turn over interview materials related to former Apple employees who applied for positions in its consumer hardware and robotics divisions. The court gave OpenAI five days to produce documents it has already collected and 14 days for any additional relevant materials, citing the need for expedited access.
The materials may include interview checklists, guides, scripts, technical presentations, and records showing references to Apple technology during the interviews. The judge also authorized Apple to obtain private LINE messages involving OpenAI staff members Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, both former Apple employees, and approved depositions of Liu, Peng and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan.
Apple’s lawsuit, filed in July, alleges that former Apple staff used company laptops to download confidential information about unannounced products and coached other employees on what data to bring to OpenAI interviews. The judge denied Apple’s request for expedited access to OpenAI’s research on metal finishes, power management, and broader hardware development, but indicated the decision could be revisited if Apple narrows its requests.
"The court will allow Apple to view documents associated with OpenAI’s interviews with former Apple employees," the ruling stated.
The decision comes as OpenAI continues development of a consumer hardware device that could compete with smartphones.