Anthropic vs. DoW #5: Motions Filed

Anthropic is locked in a pivotal legal battle with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), which has designated the AI company a 'supply chain risk.' The government's core argument, filed on March 17, asserts that Anthropic's actions—specifically imposing ethical conditions on how its Claude AI can be used—constitute a potential 'sabotage/subversion' risk to military operations. The DoW brief claims this is about 'conduct, not speech,' and that vendors with ethical restrictions inherently pose a threat. Critics note this logic could implicate any AI provider, including OpenAI or Google, if the DoW simply decides it doesn't trust them.

A formidable tech coalition has rallied to Anthropic's defense. The CCIA, SIIA, and ITI industry groups—whose members include Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Intel, and TSMC—have filed an amicus brief supporting Anthropic. The brief argues the DoW failed to follow legally required procedures for the supply chain risk designation. The government, notably, filed its brief with zero supporting amicus briefs from industry. The immediate stakes hinge on a hearing scheduled for March 24, where Anthropic will seek a temporary restraining order or injunction to block the designation's effects while the case proceeds.