Elon Musk files lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft seeking record damages

In a lawsuit filed against OpenAI and Microsoft, Elon Musk has demanded a massive 134 billion dollars in damages from the two companies at the top of the artificial intelligence sector. Musk claims that the companies have gained unfair profits thanks to his past contributions.

In documents submitted to the court, it is alleged that a large portion of the revenues of OpenAI and Microsoft were made possible by Elon Musk's own investments and support. Musk, who was among the founders of OpenAI in 2015, pointed out that the financial and institutional support he provided at that time earned the companies billions of dollars. According to Musk, while OpenAI's earnings were reported in the range of 65.5 to 109.4 billion dollars, it was claimed that Microsoft generated between 13.3 and 25.1 billion dollars in revenue. These findings were based on official reports submitted during the legal process.

OpenAI, for its part, rejected Musk's accusations, stating that they are baseless and that the lawsuit is a tool for harassment.

Microsoft also emphasized on its side that the allegations against OpenAI do not reflect the truth and that there is no justification for the compensation claims. Both companies have filed legal objections in response to Musk's demand.

POINTS OF CONTENTION IN THE CASE

Musk, who left OpenAI in 2018 and currently leads the development of the chatbot Grok under the xAI umbrella, argues that the "non-profit" promise established in OpenAI's principles was violated over time. According to Musk's claims, he transferred approximately 38 million dollars from his own pocket to OpenAI, and this amount constituted 60 percent of the total funding during the establishment phase. Musk reports that he played a significant role not only in financial terms but also in providing human resources and connecting the company with prestigious individuals.

According to the court documents, the compensation amount was calculated through analyses by financial expert C. Paul Wazzan. Musk's demand is not limited to financial compensation; the file also includes additional requests such as punitive damages and injunctive relief. The court has decided that the case will be heard before a jury, and the first hearing is expected to begin in April.

OpenAI and Microsoft have requested that these analyses be limited before the jury, arguing that the compensation calculations presented by Musk are unreliable. Both companies questioned the accuracy of the calculations in question and argued that there is no legal basis for such a large payment to be made from a non-profit institution to a former contributor.

Thus, the debates caused by this lawsuit, which has resonated throughout the technology world, will continue in the courtroom in the coming months.