Elon Musk Loses OpenAI Trial on Statute of Limitations Technicality

In a decisive outcome, the jury in Elon Musk's high-profile case against OpenAI ruled that the claims are barred by the statute of limitations. Musk had alleged that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman breached a charitable trust by converting the non-profit into a for-profit entity, and that Microsoft aided in that breach. He sought over $130 billion in what he called "ill-gotten gains." However, the jury found that Musk had three years to bring these claims and failed to do so within that timeframe. Two additional charges were subsequently dismissed by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers based on the same statute-of-limitations finding.

OpenAI's lead lawyer, William Savitt, told reporters he was "delighted" by the verdict and the speed with which the jury reached it. Musk's attorney, Marc Toberoff, offered a one-word statement outside the courtroom: "Appeal." None of the key figures—Altman, Brockman, or Musk—were present for the verdict. Musk had previously left the trial against the judge's instructions to travel with Donald Trump to China. As of publication, Musk had not commented on the outcome, though he remains active on social media.