OpenAI Subpoenas Meta Over Coordinated Plans with Elon Musk in ChatGPT-Maker Acquisition Bid
OpenAI has issued a subpoena to Meta, demanding evidence of any coordinated plans between Elon Musk and xAI regarding an investment or acquisition of the company behind ChatGPT.
The subpoena was made public in a filing submitted in Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. According to legal representatives for OpenAI, they sought documents from Meta in June pertaining to its potential involvement in Musk’s unsolicited $97 billion bid to acquire the startup in February. The filing does not clarify whether such evidence exists.
OpenAI’s lawyers claim that communications between Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding xAI’s attempt to purchase the ChatGPT-maker were discovered, including discussions about potential financing arrangements or investments.
Meta initially objected to OpenAI’s initial subpoena in July; however, OpenAI is now seeking a court order to obtain the necessary evidence. In addition, OpenAI has requested access to any documents and communications from Meta related to “any actual or potential restructuring or recapitalization of OpenAI,” which is the central issue in Musk’s lawsuit against the company.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone declined to comment beyond a section of OpenAI’s filing that states neither Meta nor Zuckerberg signed Musk’s letter of intent to acquire the ChatGPT-maker.
While OpenAI is embroiled in legal disputes with Elon Musk, Meta has made substantial investments in developing advanced AI models. This effort includes recruiting several leading AI researchers from OpenAI, including Shengjia Zhao, co-creator of ChatGPT and current head of research efforts at Meta Superintelligence Labs, the company’s newest AI unit. Meta also invested $14 billion in Scale AI and reportedly approached several other AI labs about acquisition deals.
Lawyers representing Meta have argued against OpenAI’s request for evidence, contending that Musk and xAI can provide any relevant information. They also argue that Meta’s internal discussions regarding OpenAI’s restructuring and recapitalization are not pertinent to the case.
This story is still developing, so stay tuned for updates.
