Musk vs Altman: The Court Battle Over OpenAI’s Nonprofit Roots

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI and its leaders, including Sam Altman, moves to trial over Musk’s claim that OpenAI’s 2019 shift from nonprofit to for‑profit violated its charitable mission and unjustly enriched its executives; OpenAI counters that Musk left for personal reasons and argues the for‑profit structure was justified. Microsoft is named as a co-defendant. The case tests whether a company built for public good can evolve into a profit‑driven entity, with potential implications for OpenAI’s governance and Musk’s own xAI. Jury selection will be unusually broad to ensure impartiality given the defendants’ celebrity status, with witnesses from Nadella to former OpenAI executives; the jury will advise on liability while the judge handles remedies, and deliberations are expected around May 12, 2026.