Judge Orders OpenAI to Provide Hiring Records in Apple Trade Secrets Lawsuit

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A federal judge has mandated OpenAI to hand over interview and communication records related to former Apple employees amid Apple's lawsuit accusing OpenAI of trade secret theft.

In a recent development in the legal battle between Apple and OpenAI, a U.S. federal judge has ruled that OpenAI must provide Apple with specific hiring-related documents and communications. This decision is part of Apple's ongoing lawsuit, initiated in July, which alleges that OpenAI engaged in a pattern of trade secret theft involving former Apple employees.

The court has granted Apple expedited access to OpenAI’s interview materials concerning former Apple staff who applied for roles in OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics divisions. These documents include interview checklists, guides, technical presentations, and records that might show references to Apple technology during candidate evaluations. Such disclosures are considered crucial as OpenAI is reportedly developing a consumer hardware device that could compete with products like the iPhone.

Apple's lawsuit contends that some former employees improperly used Apple laptops to download confidential information containing details about unreleased Apple products, technical specifications, and proprietary project data. Additionally, Apple asserts that some ex-employees coached others on which information to bring to OpenAI interviews, raising concerns over misappropriation of trade secrets.

Besides documents, the judge allowed Apple access to private messages exchanged on the messaging app LINE among key individuals involved in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, both formerly with Apple. Depositions of Liu, Peng, and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan, have also been authorized.

However, the judge denied Apple’s broader requests to expedite discovery into OpenAI’s hardware research fields such as metal finishes and power management, as well as other expansive requests for information about OpenAI’s development work and contributions from former Apple employees. The court indicated that Apple could narrow and resubmit those requests.

This ruling reflects judicial efforts to balance the need for transparency in intellectual property disputes with the protection of potentially sensitive competitive research. The case remains active as both companies proceed through the discovery phase and consider further legal strategies.