OpenAI ordered to hand over hiring records to Apple — SkimNews
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- Judge Edward Davila ruled Apple gets expedited access to OpenAI's hiring materials for former Apple employees who interviewed for OpenAI's consumer hardware and robotics roles, with OpenAI given 5 days for already-collected materials and 14 days for the rest.
- The discovery materials could include interview checklists, guides, scripts, and technical presentations, including records showing whether interview discussions referenced Apple technology or components.
- The court approved access to private LINE messages between named OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and authorized depositions for Liu, Peng, and chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan — all three former Apple employees.
- Judge Davila denied Apple's bid to expedite access to OpenAI's research and development in metal finishes and power management, along with broader hardware research discovery, though the door remains open for Apple to narrow its requests and refile.
- Apple's July lawsuit accuses OpenAI of a pattern of theft, including former employees using Apple laptops to download confidential files on unannounced technologies and coaching others on what information to bring to OpenAI interviews.
- OpenAI is developing a consumer hardware device that could rival the iPhone — the competitive context Apple cited for why its trade secrets warrant urgent protection.
Why it matters: Apple gains a fast window — 5 to 14 days — into how OpenAI recruited its ex-engineers and what proprietary knowledge may have crossed over to a rival building a potential iPhone competitor. Depositions of three named former Apple employees now enter discovery, accelerating the case, while Judge Davila's denial of broader R&D access keeps OpenAI's core technical work shielded for now.
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