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OpenAI Accuses Elon Musk's xAI of Evidence Tampering

2/4/2026

Summary

OpenAI Sues xAI

OpenAI filed a federal complaint against Elon Musk's xAI alleging the startup deleted crucial communications to obstruct an antitrust lawsuit.
OpenAI says xAI used disappearing messaging apps to hide evidence.
A U.S. judge indicated she might dismiss xAI's lawsuit against OpenAI for trade secret theft because Musk's unfair competition claims lack plausibility.
Musk seeks $134 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, illustrating the ongoing conflict.

Summary

Musk Defends Pay

The Delaware Supreme Court cut Tesla's legal fees in a shareholder lawsuit from $176 million to $70.9 million, citing overvaluation by the lower court.
The case centers on excessive compensation for Tesla directors, who must return $277 million in cash and stock options.
Elon Musk, Tesla's chief executive, was not part of the settlement and defended his 2018 pay package in a separate case.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the U.S. government filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, accusing the company of monopolistic practices that hindered competition, particularly through bundling Internet Explorer with Windows. This case highlighted the legal scrutiny tech giants face, a trend echoed in recent lawsuits involving OpenAI and xAI. The outcomes of these cases could significantly influence corporate governance in the technology sector.

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OpenAI Sues xAI

OpenAI filed a federal complaint against Elon Musk's xAI alleging the startup deleted crucial communications to obstruct an antitrust lawsuit.
OpenAI says xAI used disappearing messaging apps to hide evidence.
A U.S. judge indicated she might dismiss xAI's lawsuit against OpenAI for trade secret theft because Musk's unfair competition claims lack plausibility.
Musk seeks $134 billion in damages from OpenAI and Microsoft, illustrating the ongoing conflict.

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