Musk lawsuit over OpenAI for-profit conversion can go to trial, judge says

A US judge found there is enough evidence for a jury to hear Elon Musk's claim that OpenAI shifted from its original nonprofit structure to a for-profit model, and set a trial for March.

Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its leaders will go to trial after a US district judge said there is enough evidence for jurors to consider his allegations. Musk argues OpenAI moved away from its founding nonprofit structure toward a for-profit model and is seeking unspecified monetary damages. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland said disputed facts should be resolved by a jury and set a trial for March. OpenAI, Sam Altman and Greg Brockman have denied the claims. Key points: - Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled there is sufficient evidence to send the case to a jury and scheduled a trial in March. - Musk says he contributed about $38m, roughly 60% of OpenAI's early funding, and that he was led to expect the organisation would remain a nonprofit focused on public benefit. - The lawsuit accuses co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman of orchestrating a switch to a for-profit structure, citing multibillion-dollar deals with Microsoft and a recent restructuring. - OpenAI, Altman and Brockman have denied wrongdoing and described the lawsuit as baseless and part of a pattern of harassment. - Microsoft is also named as a defendant and has asked the court to dismiss claims against it, saying there is no evidence it "aided and abetted" OpenAI. - The judge said the jury will also be asked to determine whether the lawsuit was filed within the applicable statute of limitations. Summary: The judge's decision moves the dispute to a jury to weigh competing accounts about OpenAI's founding promises, funding and later business changes. The trial is scheduled for March and will include consideration of both the alleged misconduct and whether the claims were filed in time.