A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to turn over hiring records tied to former Apple employees as part of Apple's trade secrets lawsuit. The ruling gives Apple expedited access to interview checklists, guides, scripts, technical presentations, and related materials from OpenAI's recruitment of ex-Apple staff for its consumer hardware and robotics groups. OpenAI must hand over already collected documents within five days and other responsive materials within 14 days.
The lawsuit, filed in July, accuses OpenAI of a pattern of theft, including claims that former Apple employees used Apple laptops to download confidential material about unannounced features and products. Apple also alleges that those employees coached other prospective hires on what information to bring to OpenAI interviews. Alongside the hiring records, the judge approved depositions of three former Apple employees now at OpenAI, including chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, and allowed Apple access to private LINE messages between named individuals.
Not all of Apple's requests succeeded. The judge declined to fast-track access to OpenAI's research into areas like metal finishes and power management, and denied broader discovery requests about OpenAI hardware research or work done by former Apple employees at OpenAI. Those denials are not necessarily final, though, as the judge left the door open for Apple to return with narrower requests. The dispute comes as OpenAI develops a consumer hardware device that could eventually compete with smartphones.