As reported by Business Insider, on January 8, 2026 (Beijing Time), during a Wednesday court session, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, a judge from the California District Court, announced her intention to reject the attempts made by Altman's legal team to stop Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO. This decision paves the way for the case to move forward to a trial phase. The hearing's primary objective was to evaluate whether the current evidence warranted a trial by jury. Judge Rogers concluded that the evidence presented in this case, predominantly consisting of circumstantial evidence (which is commonplace in such legal disputes), was adequate. The trial is slated to commence in March. Musk initiated the lawsuit in 2024, alleging that OpenAI had deceived him into abandoning its initial non-profit objectives and organizational framework in favor of a profit-driven model, particularly highlighting its partnership with Microsoft. He claimed to have contributed $38 million to OpenAI over time. In this legal battle, Musk is seeking financial restitution and has requested the court to nullify the licensing deal between Microsoft and OpenAI. In response, OpenAI's legal representatives refuted the claims, asserting that Musk was informed of the company's transition to a for-profit model as early as 2018 and that the non-profit entity still retains control over the company.