OpenAI has filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk, accusing him of orchestrating a harassment campaign to sabotage its corporate restructuring. This move marks a new chapter in the legal battle between the artificial intelligence company and the billionaire.
In court documents submitted to a U.S. federal court, OpenAI alleges that Musk acted in bad faith, attempting to undermine its shift toward a for-profit model. The lawsuit, a response to Musk’s prior legal action, details a series of alleged disruptive tactics, including:
- An unsolicited $97.4 billion takeover bid.
- Intrusive demands for internal company records.
- Public criticism amplified to his 200 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).
According to OpenAI, these actions aim to derail its ongoing $40 billion funding round.
“Musk has resorted to media attacks, smear campaigns, abusive litigation, and a fraudulent offer to harm OpenAI,” the company stated in its filing. It also seeks a court order to block further interference and hold Musk liable for damages.
OpenAI Lashes Out at Musk on Social Media: “He Puts Himself First, Not the Mission”
Beyond the courtroom, OpenAI took the dispute to X, accusing Musk of spreading misinformation to seize control of AI advancements.
“Elon never prioritized OpenAI’s purpose. He tried to merge us with Tesla under a for-profit model—his own emails prove it. When he failed, he walked away. While he’s one of the most influential entrepreneurs, these antics just follow his pattern: Elon first,” the company posted.
Musk’s Defense: “The Offer Was Legitimate”
Marc Toberoff, Musk’s attorney, defended the multibillion-dollar bid:
“Had OpenAI’s board seriously evaluated the offer, as they were obligated to, they would have recognized its merit. It’s telling that paying fair market value for OpenAI’s assets supposedly ‘interferes’ with their plans.”
The trial, set for spring 2026, is expected to be contentious. Meanwhile, Musk responded in his signature style on X:
“Scam artist Altman at it again.”
Key Takeaway: The clash highlights the tension between OpenAI’s capped-profit model and Musk’s advocacy for open AI. The ruling could reshape the industry’s future.
By: Nestor Casillo, ForAllTechNews Director