OpenAI recently announced a patent pledge stating it would only use its patents defensively to promote innovation. Despite this commitment, experts criticize the statement as vague and lacking substance, with unclear definitions of what constitutes defensive use. Critics argue that the pledge resembles similar public relations moves from other tech companies rather than a binding commitment. OpenAI's limited patent portfolio further undermines the impact of its promise, as it primarily relies on trade secrets for intellectual property protection. Legal experts suggest that the pledge may lack enforceability, calling it a 'paper tiger'.