Judge Orders OpenAI to Hand Over Hiring Records in Apple Trade Secrets Dispute

Discovery Order Grants Apple Access to Interview Materials

U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled that Apple may promptly examine OpenAI’s hiring documents as part of the trade‑secrets lawsuit filed in July. The court’s order compels OpenAI to produce any interview checklists, guides, scripts, technical presentations, and other records that reference Apple technology or components within five days for materials already in hand and within fourteen days for any additional items. In addition, Apple will receive private LINE messages exchanged among individuals named in the case, including former Apple employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng who now work at OpenAI. The judge also authorized depositions of Liu, Peng, and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan, all of whom previously worked for Apple.

Apple’s Lawsuit Alleges Systematic Theft of Proprietary Information

Apple’s complaint accuses OpenAI of a pattern of theft, citing specific incidents where former employees allegedly used Apple laptops to download confidential files containing details of unannounced technologies, engineering presentations, and proprietary project data. Apple further claims that these former employees coached prospective hires on what proprietary information to bring to interviews. The litigation is tied to OpenAI’s development of a consumer hardware device that could eventually compete with the iPhone and other smartphones if it becomes a central hub for users’ software and service interactions.

Judge Limits Scope of Discovery, Denying Some Apple Requests

While granting access to the hiring and messaging evidence, Judge Davila rejected Apple’s bid for expedited discovery into OpenAI’s research and development work in areas such as metal finishes, power management, and broader hardware research. He also declined requests for information about the projects former Apple employees created while at OpenAI. The judge indicated that Apple may revise and resubmit narrower requests if it wishes to pursue those areas further.