Judge Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Records in Apple Suit
Original: Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case
Why This Matters
The case could set limits on how aggressively AI companies recruit from rivals.
A federal judge ruled Oct. 13 that Apple gets expedited access to OpenAI's hiring materials tied to former Apple employees who interviewed for hardware and robotics roles, as part of Apple's July trade secrets lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to produce interview documents—checklists, guides, technical presentations, and records showing whether Apple technology was discussed—within five days for already-collected materials and 14 days for anything else. The case centers on Apple's July lawsuit alleging a pattern of theft: former employees allegedly used Apple laptops to download confidential files covering unannounced products, technical specs, and engineering presentations before jumping to OpenAI. Apple further alleged those employees coached others on what to bring to interviews. The judge approved Apple's access to private LINE messages involving OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and authorized depositions for both, plus OpenAI's chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan—all three former Apple employees. Davila did not hand Apple everything it asked for. Requests for expedited access to OpenAI's R&D in areas like metal finishes and power management were denied, as were broader discovery requests covering hardware research or what ex-Apple staff built once inside OpenAI. Those denials are not final; the judge indicated Apple could narrow its requests. The backdrop: OpenAI is developing a consumer hardware device, widely seen as a potential long-term challenger to the iPhone.