A US District Judge has turned down Apple’s attempt to have a lawsuit thrown out that accuses it and OpenAI of participating in anti-competitive behavior within the AI industry. This legal dispute originates from claims made by Elon Musk, who asserts that Apple and OpenAI are collaborating to obstruct other AI firms from reaching the highest positions on the App Store.
Earlier in the year, Musk alleged that Apple and OpenAI were manipulating the App Store to favor OpenAI’s offerings, particularly after Musk’s company, xAI, unveiled new features for its Grok app but did not witness an expected boost in its App Store rankings. Musk publicly declared that Apple’s conduct amounted to an antitrust violation and vowed to pursue legal action.
In reaction to Musk’s allegations, Apple stood by its App Store procedures, claiming they are intended to be equitable and impartial. The company highlighted that it showcases a broad selection of apps based on various objective standards, striving to ensure safe discovery for users and opportunities for developers.
OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, also contributed to the debate by suggesting that Musk had previously skewed the X algorithm to hinder rivals. This exchange led to Apple submitting a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, which Judge Mark Pittmann ultimately rejected.
In his decision, Judge Pittmann stated that the matter needs further scrutiny and that the rejection of the motion to dismiss does not indicate any wrongdoing by Apple or OpenAI. Rather, it implies that more evidence and arguments are required for a thorough assessment of the claims put forth in the lawsuit. The judge remarked that the topics involved are more appropriate for resolution via a motion for summary judgment, suggesting that the legal proceedings will progress in the upcoming months.
