• Musk's lawyers seek to block OpenAI from obtaining Meta's documents about a $97.4 billion bid.
• OpenAI claims Musk tried to involve Meta's Zuckerberg in the bid, but he declined.
• A jury trial is set for spring 2026 concerning Musk's alleged 'sham bid' against OpenAI.
• Musk’s legal team argues OpenAI is making excessive document requests.
• Judge ruled Musk must face OpenAI's claims regarding his attempts to harm the AI startup.

Elon Musk's legal representatives have filed a motion with a U.S. judge to block OpenAI from acquiring documents from Meta Platforms related to Musk's controversial $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI's assets. OpenAI previously claimed Musk attempted to bring in Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg into the bidding process, but that Zuckerberg ultimately did not join, leading to the current legal conflict, according to Reuters and trtglobal.

Following OpenAI's assertion, OpenAI's legal team petitioned for the court to compel Meta to produce related communications and documents. However, Meta's attorneys contended that OpenAI should request relevant documents directly from Musk and his AI venture, xAI, as explained in filings. Musk's lawyers asserted that OpenAI had already received necessary documents pertaining to the bid, classifying their request as "expansive discovery" irrelevant to the trial's current stage, according to indiatimes and Reuters.

OpenAI's lawyers countered this argument, urging the judge to dismiss Musk's claims, emphasizing that their requests for documents were specific and confined to a short timeframe. They indicated that if the absence of bid-related communications was primarily oral, depositions would be essential, including for Musk and other involved parties. This legal confrontation traces back to a lawsuit Musk filed against OpenAI last year over its transition to a for-profit model, which was followed by OpenAI's counter-suit alleging Musk attempted to damage the organization, according to indiatimes, trtglobal, and Reuters.