A federal judge has denied OpenAI’s request to obtain the confidential settlement terms between Apple and Elon Musk’s companies, X and SpaceXAI. The ruling shuts down OpenAI’s last attempt to pull that agreement into its own defense.
Judge Mark Pittman handed down the decision after reviewing the settlement privately, according to a report from 9to5Mac. He found that the agreement contains nothing relevant to the case that continues against OpenAI alone.
How X and OpenAI Ended Up Fighting Over a Confidential Deal
X and SpaceXAI sued Apple and OpenAI, accusing both companies of colluding to keep competing AI apps out of visibility on the App Store. Apple and OpenAI denied the allegations. Musk’s companies later reached their own settlement with Apple and moved to drop their claims against Apple while keeping the fight against OpenAI alive.
That move drew scrutiny from the court almost immediately. Judge Pittman ordered Musk’s companies to explain why they were dropping Apple from the case, and asked them to submit the settlement agreement to him privately so he could check it for anything relevant to what remains against OpenAI.
Once X and SpaceXAI told the court about the Apple agreement, OpenAI filed an emergency motion asking the judge to compel production of its terms. OpenAI’s argument was straightforward. With the case now proceeding solely against it, anything in that settlement touching on the collusion allegations could matter to how it defends itself.
The Judge’s Ruling and What Happens Next
After an in camera review, meaning a private review by the judge alone, Pittman sided against OpenAI. In his written decision, he said the settlement materials do not present information relevant to the issues
the court will decide at summary judgment or trial.
The ruling also confirmed OpenAI’s next move in the case. The company plans to file a motion for summary judgment, asking the court to rule on some or all of the claims without a trial, and Pittman has given OpenAI extra time to prepare it. The case remains in front of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
