Musk's lawyers try to stop OpenAI obtaining bid documents from Meta, filing shows

Background: The Fight Over OpenAI

Elon Musk’s legal team is taking new steps to stop OpenAI from obtaining documents related to Meta’s involvement in Musk's attempted $97 billion takeover of the ChatGPT-maker. The dispute comes amid Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, accusing him of abandoning the company's original nonprofit mission in favor of commercial interests[2][3].

Meta’s Role Under Scrutiny

- Lawyers for OpenAI subpoenaed Meta in June for communications and documents about any coordination or potential investment with Musk and his AI venture, xAI[1]. - Musk reportedly reached out to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to discuss possible financing or investments for acquiring OpenAI, but neither Zuckerberg nor Meta signed the letter of intent for the bid[3]. - Meta objected to OpenAI’s subpoena and asked the court to deny the request, arguing that Musk and xAI could provide any relevant documents themselves[1].

Competitive Pressures Intensify

- Meta remains a direct competitor and is investing heavily in AI, including recruiting top OpenAI talent and launching new research labs such as Meta Superintelligence Labs[1][3]. - The failed takeover bid underscores how Big Tech rivals increasingly view OpenAI both as an existential threat and as a driver of industry change[2][3].

Antitrust and Industry Implications

- The attempted cooperation between Musk and Meta to neutralize OpenAI raises concerns over market concentration, AI safety, and platform power, with potential antitrust scrutiny likely if such a bid succeeded[2]. - Both Meta and Musk continue to contest OpenAI’s shift toward a for-profit model, with ongoing legal and regulatory efforts targeting OpenAI’s restructuring[2][3].

Legal Developments

- OpenAI is actively seeking court orders to access Meta’s communications about Musks’s bid and any discussions related to a possible OpenAI restructuring—central issues in the case[1]. - Meta argues that internal discussions on OpenAI’s business structure are irrelevant to Musk’s lawsuit and should not be disclosed[1].

What’s Next?

This evolving legal battle marks a turning point in how major tech companies approach AI innovation and competition. With courts set to decide on the disclosure of sensitive documents and the broader question of OpenAI’s ownership model, further updates are expected as the case unfolds.

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