Judge orders OpenAI to turn over hiring records in Apple trade secrets case

A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to hand over hiring records and interview materials to Apple as part of an ongoing trade secrets lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Edward Davila granted Apple expedited access to documents from interviews with former Apple employees who applied to OpenAI. OpenAI must deliver already collected materials within five days and remaining items within 14 days.

The ruling covers interview checklists, guides, and technical presentations that mention Apple technology. Apple filed the lawsuit in July, accusing OpenAI of theft and alleging that former employees downloaded confidential files onto Apple laptops and coached other departing workers on what information to bring. The court also authorized private LINE messaging app logs and depositions for three former Apple employees now at OpenAI: Chang Liu, Alyssa Peng, and chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan.

However, the judge denied Apple's request to fast-track access to OpenAI research on power management and metal finishes, and rejected broader discovery demands for hardware research. The legal battle unfolds as OpenAI develops consumer hardware that could eventually rival smartphones. Judge Davila left open the possibility for Apple to narrow its rejected requests and submit them again later.