A judge has ruled that Apple will gain expedited access to OpenAI’s hiring materials in the trade secrets-focused lawsuit the iPhone maker filed against OpenAI in July.
The court will allow Apple to view documents associated with OpenAI’s interviews with former Apple employees who applied for roles within its consumer hardware and robotics groups ahead of the rumored launch of OpenAI’s first hardware device.
These documents could include interview checklists, guides, instructions, manuals, and scripts, as well as technical presentations and records showing that interview discussions had included references to Apple technology or components.
The court gave OpenAI five days to turn over materials it has already collected and 14 days for any other materials related to this request.
In its lawsuit, Apple accused OpenAI of a pattern of theft, including former employees using Apple laptops to download confidential material about unannounced technologies, and coaching candidates on what information to bring to OpenAI interviews.
U.S. District Judge Edward Davila also approved access to private LINE messages between individuals named in the case, including OpenAI employees Chang Liu and Alyssa Peng, and approved depositions for Liu, Peng, and chief hardware officer Tang Yew Tan, all former Apple employees.
The judge denied expedited access to several broader OpenAI hardware R&D areas but left the door open for Apple to narrow requests and try again.