OpenAI · OpenAI Terms of Use · View original document ↗

Usage Policy and Prohibited Conduct

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Document Record

What it is

Users must follow OpenAI's Usage Policies, which prohibit using ChatGPT to build competing AI systems, generate policy-violating content, or do anything illegal, with account termination as the consequence for violations.

This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The terms incorporate the Usage Policies by reference and prohibit using outputs to train competing AI models, which has implications for developers and researchers working in the AI space.

Interpretive note: The exact prohibited conduct language was not directly extractable from the corrupted PDF; the provision reflects the known usage policy incorporation provisions in OpenAI's publicly referenced Terms of Use.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision incorporates OpenAI's Usage Policies into the agreement, subjecting users to additional content and conduct restrictions beyond the Terms of Use itself, and prohibits using OpenAI outputs to develop competing AI models.

How other platforms handle this

Twitch Medium

You agree that you will not: post, upload, transmit, or otherwise make available through the Twitch Services any content that is libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, abusive, harassing, threatening, hateful, objectionable with respect to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national o...

Adyen Medium

You agree to comply with Adyen's Acceptable Use Policy, as updated from time to time, which forms part of these Terms and Conditions. Adyen reserves the right to update the Acceptable Use Policy at any time.

Venmo Medium

You may not use the Venmo services for any illegal purpose, to send money to any person or organization on a government sanctions list, for gambling, for purchasing or selling illegal goods or services, or for any activity that violates applicable law. You may not use Venmo for commercial transactio...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You agree to comply with our Usage Policies, which are incorporated into these Terms. You may not use our Services to develop or train competing AI models, to generate content that violates our policies, or for any illegal purpose. Violation of our Usage Policies may result in suspension or termination of your access.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Terms of Use

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

1. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Prohibitions on using service outputs to train competing models engage antitrust and competition law considerations, particularly in EU and UK jurisdictions where competition authorities have been active in examining AI market practices. The FTC has authority over unfair competition practices. Content moderation obligations engage the EU Digital Services Act for OpenAI as a platform provider in the EU, though this is primarily an OpenAI compliance obligation rather than a user obligation. 2. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The incorporation by reference of Usage Policies means the full scope of prohibited conduct is defined in a separate document that may be updated without the same notice as the Terms of Use, creating a moving compliance target for organizational users. AI researchers and developers should specifically review the prohibition on using outputs to train competing models. 3. JURISDICTION FLAGS: The prohibition on using outputs to train competing models may be subject to competition law scrutiny in EU and UK jurisdictions. Fair use and research exemptions under copyright and AI training law may interact with this prohibition depending on the jurisdiction and use case. 4. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: API users and developers building on OpenAI should conduct specific legal review of the Usage Policies incorporated by reference, particularly the prohibition on competitive model training, before designing products that involve fine-tuning or distillation using OpenAI outputs. This provision may affect AI research and commercial AI development workflows. 5. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Organizations should maintain a record of the Usage Policy version in effect at the time of their agreement and monitor for updates. Compliance programs should include periodic review of the Usage Policies to identify any new restrictions that affect existing use cases.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority over unfair competition practices in consumer and commercial AI service agreements, including restrictions on competitive use of AI outputs
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union
Trump Executive Order on AI Policy Framework
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Terms of Use
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011786
Document ID
CA-D-00009
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
6ae7df627f8ff0f0434212dde1986e4d1bfced272b18d29c3cea01e80cf3dbb0
Analysis generated
March 10, 2026 03:23 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-011786
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:23:22 UTC
SHA-256: 6ae7df627f8ff0f0…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-terms-of-use/usage-policy-and-prohibited-conduct/
Accessed: May 15, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Usage Policy and Prohibited Conduct clause do?

The terms incorporate the Usage Policies by reference and prohibit using outputs to train competing AI models, which has implications for developers and researchers working in the AI space.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision incorporates OpenAI's Usage Policies into the agreement, subjecting users to additional content and conduct restrictions beyond the Terms of Use itself, and prohibits using OpenAI outputs to develop competing AI models.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.