OpenAI Ordered to Share Hiring Files in Apple Lawsuit
A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to hand over specific hiring records and interview materials to Apple following a trade secrets lawsuit filed in July.
A U.S. judge has ordered OpenAI to provide Apple with expedited access to specific hiring materials as part of an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit initiated by the iPhone maker in July. Under the ruling, OpenAI must hand over documents tied to interviews conducted with former Apple employees who applied for positions within OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics groups.
Court Order Details
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ruled that Apple is entitled to review interview documents such as checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, and scripts. The scope also includes technical presentations and records showing that interview discussions referenced Apple technology or components. The court mandated that OpenAI must surrender already collected materials within five days, and any remaining requested documents within fourteen days.
In addition to interview records, the judge approved access to private LINE messaging app communications between specific individuals named in the litigation, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. The court also sanctioned depositions for Liu, Peng, and OpenAI's chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan. All three individuals are former Apple employees.
However, the judge did not grant all of Apple's demands. Requests for expedited access to OpenAI research and development in areas such as metal finishes and power management were denied, alongside broader discovery requests regarding hardware research or items created by former employees while at OpenAI. The judge left the door open for Apple to submit narrowed versions of these denied requests in the future.
Background of the Dispute
The legal battle stems from Apple's accusations that OpenAI engaged in a pattern of theft. Apple previously claimed that former employees used company laptops to download confidential files containing unannounced technologies, features, and products, including technical specs, engineering presentations, and proprietary project data. Furthermore, Apple alleged that former employees coached others considering a move to OpenAI on what information to bring to their interviews. This dispute arrives as OpenAI works on developing a consumer hardware device that could potentially rival smartphones.
What it means for developers
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Source: Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case — TechCrunch AI. Written by the Apixo team from that report.
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