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A major court decision denying early dismissal in Elon Musk’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI has allowed the case to move to the next stage. The lawsuit was initiated by Musk’s companies, X Corp and xAI. They claimed that Apple and OpenAI’s deal hurts fair competition in the AI assistant market.
Judge Mark Pittman ruled that the allegations need a full review. This ruling does not decide who is right, but it makes clear that the claims must be examined in detail. The judge’s decision forces Apple and OpenAI to stay in the case and respond through the legal process.
The lawsuit targets Apple’s move in June 2024, when Apple picked ChatGPT as the exclusive AI assistant for iOS. Musk’s companies say this deal gives OpenAI an unfair advantage by providing it direct access to millions of iPhone users. They argue that this has prevented other chatbots, especially xAI’s Grok, from having equal access to the iPhone user base.
The complaint also states that Apple lifted ChatGPT’s position in the App Store while pushing Grok and other rivals behind. Although Grok ranks high in some app lists, it does not appear in premium spots, such as Apple’s “Must-Have Apps” section, where ChatGPT is listed. Musk calls this behaviour unfair and harmful to competition.
Legal experts say the case will now depend on clear evidence. The key question is simple. Did Apple block other AI assistant competitors, or did Apple choose a partner for better performance and efficiency? Apple argues that no one is blocked. It says users can still download other chatbots through browsers and apps. OpenAI denies the claims as unfounded and characterizes the lawsuit as an attempt to discredit the company.
The case moves next to discovery. This phase will require Apple and OpenAI to share internal documents and explain their decisions. Musk’s companies will try to show that Apple and OpenAI created a system that unfairly enhanced ChatGPT.
This case is important for the entire tech industry. It may shape how large companies work with AI partners. If Musk wins, Apple may need to open the iPhone system to more AI assistant choices. If Apple wins, the partnership with OpenAI may stay in place. For now, the antitrust fight continues, and the tech world is watching closely.
Also Read – ChatGPT Lawsuit: AI Accused of Encouraging Self-Harm and Suicide
