Trending Now - Openai's Victory Over Musk Clears Path for IPO Amid Challenges

WHO:

Fast Company - Elon Musk, OpenAI, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Rosie Campbell, David Achiam

New York Times - OpenAI, Elon Musk

WHAT:

Fast Company - A jury in Oakland, California threw out Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI.

Fast Company - Musk sought over $150 billion in damages from OpenAI.

Fast Company - The jury ruled on the statute of limitations for Musk's case, finding he waited too long to file his lawsuit.

Fast Company - OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman has made about $30 billion from his shares in OpenAI.

Fast Company - The jury's conclusion impacts the likelihood of Musk winning an appeal.

New York Times - The rejection of Musk's lawsuit allows OpenAI to continue its IPO plans.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The trial took place in Oakland, California.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Musk filed his lawsuit in 2024.

Fast Company - Musk left OpenAI in 2018.

WHY:

Fast Company - Musk claimed that OpenAI's leadership had “stolen a charity” by converting it from a nonprofit to a for-profit company.

Fast Company - Musk's motivations may have included trolling a competitor or making Sam Altman look bad.

HOW:

Fast Company - The case was resolved based on procedural facts regarding the statute of limitations rather than the conduct of OpenAI or Musk.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 19:36 UTC)

A jury in Oakland, California, has thrown out Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, in which he sought over $150 billion in damages, ruling that he waited too long to file his case. This decision not only affects Musk's chances of winning an appeal but also allows OpenAI to continue its plans for an initial public offering. Musk's lawsuit stemmed from his claim that OpenAI's leadership had “stolen a charity” by converting the organization from a nonprofit to a for-profit company.