OpenAI Patent Pledge Hints at Broader Infringement Suit Strategy

OpenAI Inc.'s pledge to wield its patents only defensively could be an indication that the artificial intelligence behemoth is gearing up for lawsuits that could be brought not just by competitors, but by patent-assertion entities, attorneys say.

The Oct. 11 pledge says OpenAI will stick to that vow “so long as a party does not threaten or assert a claim, initiate a proceeding,” or “engage in activities that harm us or our users.” But if a party sues the company for patent infringement, it can fire back with infringement claims of its own. The pledge also doesn’t include language limiting ...