For those following the tech industry, it’s a sense of déjà vu: Elon Musk is suing OpenAI again. However, this time is different. His latest lawsuit, filed via his new startup xAI, not only targets his former company but also brings in tech behemoth Apple as a co-defendant, dramatically raising the stakes.
The new complaint reprises some of Musk’s long-standing themes, accusing OpenAI of betraying its founding mission, but it focuses them through the lens of antitrust law. It alleges that OpenAI’s partnership with Apple is an illegal conspiracy to monopolize the AI market, a move that directly harms xAI’s ability to compete.
Musk’s history of suing OpenAI stems from his acrimonious 2018 split from the organization he co-founded. He has repeatedly challenged its for-profit structure and its relationship with corporate partners. This lawsuit is the most powerful legal weapon he has deployed in this ongoing conflict, seeking billions in damages.
OpenAI’s reaction suggests a weariness with the recurring legal battles. By labeling the suit an act of “harassment,” the company implies it is just the latest in a series of frivolous and vexatious actions from Musk. Yet, by involving Apple, this lawsuit has the potential to be far more impactful than any of his previous challenges.
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