OpenAI Lawyers Scrutinize Meta in Musk’s $97B Bid

Court Filings Reveal Musk Approached Zuckerberg. Notably OpenAI’s legal team has disclosed that Elon Musk attempted to engage Mark Zuckerberg in discussions regarding the takeover bid. Specifically the communication reportedly centered on potential financing or investment arrangements to support the offer from Musk’s AI company xAI.

OpenAI’s Subpoena Demands Transparency. In June OpenAI formally issued a subpoena to Meta. Specifically they are requesting documents and correspondence that could shed light on whether Meta or Zuckerberg had any role financial or strategic in Musk’s proposal. Moreover the request also seeks to uncover whether they influenced OpenAI’s restructuring or capital strategy.

Meta Pushes Back
Meta’s legal team objected to the subpoena. They argued that any relevant communications should originate from Musk or xAI. Furthermore they claimed internal discussions about OpenAI’s restructuring are not pertinent to the case.

Key Concerns Raised

The core of OpenAI’s inquiry centers on potential conflicts of interest. Did Meta have prior knowledge or were they involved in discussions related to the takeover bid before it became public? These are the questions OpenAI legal team is actively exploring.

• Examining Meta’s communications related to the takeover.
• Assessing potential conflicts of interest.
• Determining if Meta had prior knowledge of the bid.

The Financial Implications

A $97 billion takeover bid naturally draws intense scrutiny. Moreover the financial magnitude of such a deal necessitates a thorough examination of all parties involved including Meta. Consequently regulators and legal experts closely monitor these transactions to ensure compliance and fairness.

The sheer scale of Musk’s bid has amplified the focus on possible collaborators or influencers. Furthermore any potential irregularities could have significant repercussions for all involved parties.

Subpoena for Zuckerberg–Musk Communication

• In June OpenAI issued a subpoena to Meta. Specifically it sought documents and communications between Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding Musk’s unsolicited $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI in early 2025.
• These exchanges reportedly involved discussions about potential financing arrangements or investments related to the acquisition attempt New York Post

OpenAI Demands Transparency

• The legal team is formally asking the court to compel Meta to comply with the subpoena. They argue that the communications could shed light on whether Meta played a strategic or financial role beyond what’s publicly acknowledged.

Meta Pushes Back

Meta has objected to the subpoena asserting that any relevant details should originate from Musk and his company xAI. Moreover they contend that internal discussions about OpenAI’s restructuring or recapitalization are not pertinent to the case.