European Union: EU Commission investigation into OpenAI OpCo, SoftBank Group Corp. and SB OAI Japan GK merger (Case M.12391)
Progress
Scope
Timeline of events
EU Commission approved creation of OpenAI OpCo and SoftBank Group Corp. joint venture
On 4 May 2026, the European Commission approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a full-function joint venture by OpenAI OpCo, LLC and SoftBank Group Corp., namely SB OAI Japan GK. The transaction, notified on 7 April 2026 pursuant t…
SourceEU Commission closed third-party observations period on OpenAI OpCo, SoftBank Group Corp. and SB OAI Japan GK concentration
On 27 April 2026, the third-party observations period on the proposed concentration in Case M.12391 closed. The European Commission had opened the observations period on 17 April 2026 following the publication of the prior notification of the propos…
SourceEU Commission opened third-party observations period on OpenAI OpCo, SoftBank Group Corp. and SB OAI Japan GK concentration
On 17 April 2026, the European Commission published a prior notification of the proposed concentration in Case M.12391 in the Official Journal of the European Union and opened a period for interested third parties to submit observations on the propo…
SourceEU Commission received notification of OpenAI OpCo, SoftBank Group Corp. and SB OAI Japan GK concentration
On 7 April 2026, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (the Merger Regulation). OpenAI OpCo, LLC, controlled by the OpenAI Foundation, and C Holdings Co…
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