Grab your popcorn 🍿: Elon Musk just dropped a $134-billion lawsuit on OpenAI and Microsoft, claiming they owe him for “wrongful gains” from his early backing. Is this the biggest plot twist in tech history? 🤯
In a federal court filing this Friday, Musk argues that his seed support—about $38 million, roughly 60% of OpenAI’s early funding—helped rocket the startup to today’s valuations. According to his legal team, OpenAI netted between $65.5 B and $109.4 B, while Microsoft scored $13.3 B–$25.1 B through their partnership.
“Without Elon Musk, there’d be no OpenAI,” said Musk’s lead lawyer, Steven Molo. Musk even lent his reputation and business savvy, recruiting talent and opening doors when the company launched in 2015.
OpenAI fired back, calling Musk’s demand “unserious” and part of a “harassment campaign.” Microsoft has stayed quiet on the dollar figures but has challenged any claim it “aided and abetted” OpenAI.
Fun fact: Musk left OpenAI in 2018 and now runs xAI, creator of the Grok chatbot. Talk about going head-to-head with your former friends! 😅
A judge in Oakland ruled earlier this month that the case will go before a jury, with the trial slated for April 2026. If Musk wins, he could score punitive damages and even an injunction.
OpenAI and Microsoft aren’t taking it lying down. They’re asking the court to limit Musk’s expert witness, financial economist C. Paul Wazzan, labeling his multi-billion-dollar valuations “unverifiable” and “unprecedented.”
Whether you’re a startup dreamer or simply love a juicy legal saga, this story is one to watch. Will Musk prove his case, or will it fizzle out? Stay tuned! 🎬
Reference(s):
A $134-billion-dollar question: Is OpenAI nothing without Elon Musk?
cgtn.com
