Story perspectives

Oakland Jury Deliberates Musk's $150B OpenAI Suit

5/15/2026

Summary

Musk Lawsuit Trial

Jury in Oakland began deliberating on Monday in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI.
Elon Musk seeks $150 billion in damages and removal of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, alleging breach citing $1 billion (2019) $10 billion (2023) investments.
OpenAI says donations were used August 5 2021, that Elon Musk delayed filing, and cites its $200 billion value as proof.
Elon Musk was absent, traveling with U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting Steven Molo to apologize to jurors.

Summary

OpenAI Faces Setbacks

OpenAI missed revenue and user-growth targets, casting doubt on future compute funding.
It shut down Sora, ending a $1 billion Disney deal for characters.
OpenAI is refocusing on coding and enterprise tools while targeting an IPO in late 2026.
A strained Apple partnership leads OpenAI to sue after Apple failed to embed ChatGPT.
Rep. James Comer asked Sam Altman to answer investment queries by May 22, while attorneys general urged SEC to probe.

Summary

Musk Skips Trial

Elon Musk arrived in Beijing Wednesday on Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump, missing the trial’s testimony.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers placed Musk on recall status, saying he was not excused but could leave the courthouse for day.
Lead counsel Steven Molo apologized to the jury for Musk’s absence.
The recall order let Musk continue China business meetings while analysts warn that an empty chair could influence jurors.

History

Historical Context

In May 1998 the U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Janet Reno, sued Microsoft for tying Internet Explorer to Windows, and Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordered remedies. The D.C. Circuit partially reversed the ruling on June 28, 2001, but the case set precedent for later disputes such as Elon Musk’s $150 billion claim against OpenAI, showing courts can reshape control of software platforms.

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Musk Lawsuit Trial

Jury in Oakland began deliberating on Monday in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI.
Elon Musk seeks $150 billion in damages and removal of Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, alleging breach citing $1 billion (2019) $10 billion (2023) investments.
OpenAI says donations were used August 5 2021, that Elon Musk delayed filing, and cites its $200 billion value as proof.
Elon Musk was absent, traveling with U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting Steven Molo to apologize to jurors.

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