A federal judge in Texas ruled on Thursday that Apple and OpenAI must answer to a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X Corp. and xAI. As reported by Bloomberg, the judge rejected the companies’ initial request to have the case dismissed, signaling the legal fight will move forward.
The lawsuit, originally filed in August, alleges that Apple’s decision to integrate OpenAI technology directly into the iPhone’s operating system is anti-competitive. Musk’s legal team argues that this move “inhibits competition and innovation” in the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry.
Furthermore, the suit claims this partnership directly “harms consumers by depriving them of choice.” By allegedly favoring OpenAI, Musk’s companies argue that Apple is effectively locking out other potential AI innovators from its massive ecosystem. The lawsuit is suing Apple for billions of dollars.
Apple’s attorneys have fired back, arguing the foundational allegations in the lawsuit are inaccurate. In court filings, the company stressed that it does not have an exclusive agreement with OpenAI. Apple also reiterated its public statements that it “intends to work with other AI companies in the future,” suggesting its platform will remain open to competition.
OpenAI offered its own strong defense, painting the lawsuit as a personal vendetta. The AI firm’s lawyers accused Musk of “waging a campaign of lawfare” against the company. They attributed this, at least in part, to a “longstanding feud” between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who notably co-founded the AI company together a decade ago.
US District Judge Mark Pittman did not provide an explanation for his decision to reject the dismissal. However, he has directed all parties to submit further filings to argue their positions.
What do you think? Is Apple’s partnership with OpenAI a smart integration for users, or does Musk have a point about competition? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
