BUSINESS

Jury Dismisses Musk Suit, Clears Path Toward IPO

PUBLISHED May 18, 2026, 5:41 PM ET

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Oakland, California. A federal jury on Monday, May 18, ruled unanimously that Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI was time-barred under the statute of limitations, dismissing his claims after less than two hours of deliberation. Jurors concluded Musk had brought the case too late. The trial was widely viewed as a critical moment for OpenAI and for the broader debate over how artificial intelligence should be used and who should benefit. Oakland, California. The verdict clears a major legal hurdle for OpenAI's commercial trajectory and simplifies the path toward a possible initial public offering that could value the company at about US$1 trillion, but it also leaves Chief Executive Sam Altman facing reputational challenges after testimony in which multiple witnesses described him as a liar. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said Musk may face an uphill battle on appeal and that there was substantial evidence supporting the jury's finding.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2015: OpenAI founded as a non-profit with early funding from Elon Musk.
2018: Elon Musk departed OpenAI amid changes in the organisation's structure.
2019–2023: OpenAI attached a commercial arm and raised capital including from Microsoft (reported in trial context).
2024 February: Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Greg Brockman alleging mission abandonment.
2026 May 18: A federal jury in Oakland unanimously ruled Musk's suit time-barred, and the judge indicated she would accept the jury's findings.

News Intelligence

OpenAI's potential IPO could change the AI landscape. If you're an investor, it's a company to watch. If you're concerned about AI ethics, it's a debate to follow. Check the latest news on OpenAI's plans.

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Who Benefited

OpenAI and its executives, notably CEO Sam Altman, benefited because the jury dismissed Elon Musk's suit on statute-of-limitations grounds, removing a direct legal hurdle to a potential IPO and preserving the company's commercial trajectory.

Who Impacted

Elon Musk suffered a legal setback as the jury found his claims time-barred, leaving his substantive allegations unresolved and prompting his legal team to reserve the right to appeal, prolonging litigation and public scrutiny.

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