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Altman Testifies as Musk Sues OpenAI for $150 B

5/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sam Altman testified Tuesday in District Court in Oakland in Elon Musk’s civil suit against OpenAI, Greg Brockman and Microsoft.
Altman said Musk once demanded a 90% equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit arm, describing it as a “hair-raising moment.”
Musk’s complaint seeks to force OpenAI back to nonprofit status, oust Altman and Brockman, recover up to $150 billion, and faces a verdict due the week of May 18 that could affect the planned IPO.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 the U.S. Department of Justice and 20 states sued Microsoft for bundling Windows with Internet Explorer, leading Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson to order a breakup that was later abandoned. The case spurred later penalties, including an EU €899 million fine in 2008. Elon Musk’s civil suit to make OpenAI a nonprofit echoes that earlier fight over corporate dominance.

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Story summary

Sam Altman testified Tuesday in District Court in Oakland in Elon Musk’s civil suit against OpenAI, Greg Brockman and Microsoft.
Altman said Musk once demanded a 90% equity stake in OpenAI’s for-profit arm, describing it as a “hair-raising moment.”
Musk’s complaint seeks to force OpenAI back to nonprofit status, oust Altman and Brockman, recover up to $150 billion, and faces a verdict due the week of May 18 that could affect the planned IPO.

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