OpenAI Contractor IP Uploads

What happened

OpenAI has reportedly requested that its contractors upload actual work products from their prior employment or client engagements. This action introduces a new condition for contractors, requiring them to provide materials that may be subject to third-party intellectual property rights or confidentiality agreements, thereby altering the scope of information expected from their past professional activities.

Why it matters

This practice introduces a significant intellectual property and confidentiality exposure for the organisation. Legal and compliance functions now face an increased oversight burden to verify the legitimate ownership and permissible use of all contractor-submitted materials. Procurement and IT security also experience reduced visibility into potential third-party claims or data handling obligations associated with these newly acquired assets, tightening dependency on contractor self-attestation.