OpenAI has asked Meta to provide documents concerning any discussions or coordinated plans with Elon Musk and his company xAI regarding a possible acquisition or investment in the ChatGPT-maker.
The request was revealed in a legal filing Thursday, part of Musk’s ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. According to the filing, OpenAI’s legal team subpoenaed Meta in June for records tied to Musk’s unsolicited $97 billion takeover offer in February. It remains unclear whether such documents exist. OpenAI ultimately declined Musk’s proposal.
The disclosure comes amid Musk’s broader legal battle challenging OpenAI’s decision to restructure its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation, a move the company says is essential to attract investors and eventually pursue a public offering. Musk, an OpenAI cofounder and early backer, has claimed the restructuring violates the startup’s original mission.
In response, Meta’s lawyers have asked the court to reject the subpoena, contending that Musk and xAI themselves could supply any relevant evidence. They further argue that Meta’s internal discussions about OpenAI’s restructuring and recapitalization are unrelated to the case.
