OpenAI has filed a countersuit against Elon Musk, alleging that his actions against the company are bad-faith tactics to slow it down and seize control of its AI innovations for his personal benefit.
OpenAI’s lawyers argue that “Musk’s continued attacks on OpenAI, culminating most recently in the fake takeover bid designed to disrupt OpenAI’s future, must cease. Musk should be enjoined from further unlawful and unfair action, and held responsible for the damage he has already caused.”
Musk, who was part of the initial founding team at OpenAI, initially sued the company last spring, claiming it had strayed from its original mission to develop AGI for the benefit of humanity and was instead pursuing profits. He dropped this lawsuit in June but sued OpenAI again in August.
In response to Musk’s allegations, OpenAI published a blog post in December titled “Elon Musk wanted an OpenAI for-profit,” presenting evidence to support its claims. The company also revealed that Musk had offered $97.4 billion to buy OpenAI earlier this year, stating that it was “time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was.”
However, OpenAI’s board of directors unanimously rejected Musk’s offer, which the company’s latest filing described as a “sham bid.” OpenAI is seeking to enjoin Musk from further actions and hold him responsible for damages caused. The case is scheduled to go to trial in the spring of 2026.
