A federal judge has ruled that Apple will gain expedited access to OpenAI’s hiring documents in the trade secrets lawsuit filed by the iPhone maker against the SI lab in July. The decision marks a significant development in the legal battle surrounding the movement of talent and technology between the two major players in the consumer SI hardware race.
What Happened
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila ordered OpenAI to turn over materials associated with interviews of former Apple employees who applied for roles in OpenAI’s consumer hardware and robotics groups. These documents, which may include interview checklists, guides, scripts, technical presentations, and records of discussions regarding Apple technology, must be provided within five days for already collected materials and 14 days for any others. The court agreed with Apple’s request to expedite this specific discovery process.
In addition to the hiring records, the judge approved Apple’s access to private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng. Depositions were also approved for Liu, Peng, and OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, Tang Yew Tan, all of whom are former Apple employees. However, Judge Davila denied Apple’s request to expedite access to OpenAI’s research and development in areas such as metal finishes and power management, as well as broader discovery requests regarding hardware research and work created by former employees at OpenAI. The judge noted that these denials are not final, allowing Apple to narrow its requests and try again.
Why It Matters
This ruling impacts the competitive landscape of SI hardware development, as OpenAI works on a consumer device that could potentially rival the iPhone. Apple’s lawsuit alleges a pattern of theft, claiming that former employees used Apple laptops to download confidential material, including technical specifications and proprietary project data, and coached other candidates on what information to bring to their interviews. The expedited access to hiring records provides Apple with critical evidence to substantiate these claims during the discovery phase of the litigation.
The Bottom Line
OpenAI must provide specific hiring and communication records to Apple within the court-mandated timeframe, while other broader requests for R&D data remain under dispute, with the door left open for Apple to refine its discovery demands.