Openai requested a federal court on Wednesday to prohibit Elon Musk from unfairly attacking them through a lawsuit he filed last year.
In a filing in federal court in San Francisco, Openai stated that Musk “initiated his project to defeat Openai.” The company insisted that the tech billionaire cease all actions against Openai and is seeking damages caused by Musk.
This filing highlighted the ongoing conflict between Musk, the founder of Openai, and the company regarding the direction of advancing technology. Last year, Musk sued Openai and its founders, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, accusing them of prioritizing commercial interests over public interest in technology.
Openai stated: “Elon continues to engage in bad faith tactics to hinder Openai’s progress for his own benefit. These actions are anti-competitive and contradict our mission.”
Musk and his legal representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
(The New York Times filed a lawsuit against Openai and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement related to AI Systems. Openai and Microsoft denied these allegations.)
Musk played a role in founding Openai as a nonprofit organization in late 2015, alongside Altman and others. However, disputes over control of the company hindered AI progress, leading Musk to exit the organization. Openai has since launched ChatGpt and become a prominent AI player with millions of users. Altman secured significant funding for Openai to develop AI technology.
Last year, Openai began transitioning from a nonprofit entity to a company owned by investors. Shortly after, Musk sued Altman and Brockman, alleging violations of the company’s incorporation agreement by prioritizing commercial gains over public interest.
This year, Musk and investors proposed acquiring assets of the managing nonprofit for over $97 billion, which Openai’s board rejected.
In a recent filing, Openai criticized Musk’s bid as “deceptive” and misrepresenting the company’s intentions to change its structure.
“Musk is making false claims that Openai plans to convert from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity,” the filing stated.
Openai clarified that they are considering restructuring as a public benefit corporation (PBC), aiming to serve public and social interests as a for-profit organization.
In another development, a coalition of nonprofit, labor, and charity leaders submitted a petition urging California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate Openai’s efforts to convert into a public benefits corporation. The petition can be viewed here.
Source: www.nytimes.com
