tech
January 16, 2026
Silicon Valley's messiest breakup is definitely headed to court
OpenAI and Microsoft tried to dodge a courtroom showdown with Elon Musk, but a federal judge on Thursday rejected their requests to dismiss the case.
TL;DR
- A federal judge rejected OpenAI and Microsoft's dismissal requests for Elon Musk's lawsuit.
- The case will proceed to a jury trial in late April.
- Musk claims OpenAI betrayed its nonprofit mission by partnering with Microsoft and becoming for-profit.
- The judge allowed the jury to decide if OpenAI broke nonprofit commitments.
- The jury will also consider if Microsoft knowingly aided OpenAI in breaking promises.