OpenAI seeks dismissal of xAI antitrust lawsuit in Texas
OpenAI asked U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to grant summary judgment and dismiss xAI's antitrust lawsuit before trial, arguing that evidence—including disclosures in SpaceX's initial public offering registration statement—undermines allegations of competitive harm, Reuters reported in September 2026.
The Core Claim
Musk's xAI company alleged that Apple Inc. violated antitrust law by exclusively integrating OpenAI's ChatGPT into Apple Intelligence features on iPhones and other Apple devices. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, names OpenAI, Apple, and Musk-affiliated entities including X Corp. and SpaceXAI, a SpaceX division.
OpenAI's motion contends that SpaceX's SEC filing contains statements that are "replete with disclosures diametrically opposed" to xAI's claims and "bears no resemblance to the doomsaying in this litigation," according to Reuters.
Settlement Complications
X Corp. and SpaceXAI moved to dismiss their own claims against Apple after reporting a confidential resolution with the iPhone maker, though they continued pursuing claims against OpenAI. When OpenAI requested access to the settlement terms, Judge Pittman denied the motion, stating in an October ruling that the terms "do not present information relevant to the issues to be decided at summary judgment or trial in this case," Reuters reported.
Timeline and Next Steps
OpenAI filed its summary judgment motion after depositions and document discovery, using the SpaceX public disclosures to argue that the allegations lack factual support. The remaining claims between xAI and OpenAI are scheduled for trial in January 2027, though no specific trial date has been announced. The motion represents a critical procedural juncture: if Judge Pittman grants summary judgment, the case would end without a jury trial; if denied, the parties proceed to trial.
No monetary damages, criminal penalties, or regulatory enforcement action has been announced in connection with the motion or underlying claims. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions in the AI industry over distribution partnerships and market access, particularly regarding Apple's high-profile integration of OpenAI's technology into its consumer ecosystem.