After Ronan Farrow’s investigation, OpenAI asks California, Delaware to investigate Musk's 'anti-competitive behavior' ahead of April trial
OpenAI cites Ronan Farrow's investigation into Musk's alleged harassment campaign against Sam Altman.
OpenAI has escalated its legal feud with Elon Musk by formally requesting that the attorneys general of California and Delaware investigate the billionaire for 'anti-competitive behavior.' This move comes just ahead of their scheduled April trial, where Musk is suing OpenAI for allegedly breaching its founding agreement. In a letter sent Monday, OpenAI's legal team preemptively warned that Musk will likely make public comments about the company that are not 'grounded in reality' and are 'typical of the harassment tactics he's previously deployed.'
The letter directly references a recent investigation by journalist Ronan Farrow published in The New Yorker. Farrow's report alleges that Musk and his 'intermediaries' conducted extensive opposition research on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, including tracking his flights and movements. The report further claims that Musk and other rivals circulated this research alongside false allegations of sexual misconduct against Altman. By invoking this report, OpenAI is attempting to frame Musk's legal and public relations offensive as a malicious, coordinated campaign rather than a legitimate grievance, seeking regulatory intervention to scrutinize his actions as potentially anti-competitive.
- OpenAI formally requested CA and DE AGs to probe Musk's 'anti-competitive behavior' ahead of their April trial.
- The company's letter cites a Ronan Farrow report alleging Musk tracked Sam Altman's flights and spread false misconduct claims.
- OpenAI claims Musk's tactics are not 'grounded in reality' and are typical of his previous harassment methods.
Why It Matters
This marks a major escalation in the AI industry's most high-profile feud, potentially drawing state regulators into a bitter corporate war.