Janice R. Andrews
Elon Musk has broadened his lawsuit against OpenAI by adding Microsoft as a defendant, while also bringing xAI (his AI company) and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis as co-plaintiffs. The expanded lawsuit follows Musk’s initial March filing against OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, which he withdrew in June before refiling with enhanced antitrust allegations.
The lawsuit centers on claims that OpenAI abandoned its original nonprofit mission through its partnership with Microsoft, which has invested $13 billion in the company. Musk, who departed OpenAI in 2018 before Microsoft’s involvement, argues that the collaboration creates monopolistic conditions that disadvantage competitors like xAI by restricting access to resources and investor funding.
The amended complaint now includes LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and Microsoft VP Dee Templeton, alleging they coordinated efforts between the companies to share sensitive competitive information and impede industry innovation.
In response, OpenAI has released emails from 2015-2018 suggesting Musk supported the shift to a for-profit model and sought significant control, including potential Tesla mergers, before his departure.
This escalating legal dispute could significantly impact the AI industry’s competitive landscape and collaborative practices moving forward.
