OpenAI’s Countersuit of Elon Musk Alleges Harassment and ‘Sham’ Takeover Bid

OpenAI defends its shift to a for-profit model, citing funding needs and mission alignment, as Musk’s lawsuit threatens its future ahead of a 2026 trial.

While the legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2026, the team at OpenAI has filed a countersuit accusing Musk of sustained harassment.

The OpenAI/Musk feud thus far

Although the roots of the feud go all the way back to the late 2010s and the early days of OpenAI, the legal battle between Musk and OpenAI officially began in February 2024.

That’s when Elon Musk filed his original lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the AI company had strayed from its founding mission as a nonprofit. While that lawsuit was later withdrawn, Musk filed a revised complaint containing the same core allegations in August 2024.

Musk’s legal team also sought a preliminary injunction against OpenAI ...