A California jury has dismissed Elon Musk's high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman. The unanimous verdict on Monday found that Musk had waited too long to file his lawsuit, rendering all of his claims expired.

Musk had accused Altman of breaching a non-profit contract by transitioning the ChatGPT-maker into a for-profit entity. Musk had initially donated $38 million to OpenAI early in its history and claimed Altman deceived him by accepting his funds while reneging on the organization's original mission to develop artificial intelligence (AI) for humanity's benefit.

Jurors deliberated for approximately two hours on Monday, following three weeks of testimony and review of internal correspondence. They heard from Musk, Altman, and other tech executives, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, whom Musk had accused of aiding and abetting OpenAI's shift to a more for-profit model. Musk's claims against Microsoft were also dismissed based on the jury's findings regarding OpenAI.

The jury's decision represents another legal setback for Musk, adding to a recent series of losses and settlements. Legal experts noted the jury's decision was fact-based, highlighting the role of common sense in resolving disputes.

During the trial, Musk stated his legal action was about preventing the "theft" of a charity and preserving the foundation of charitable giving. He argued that if looting a charity is acceptable, the entire system of charitable contributions would be undermined.

Conversely, Altman testified that Musk not only supported the idea of OpenAI becoming a for-profit business but also sought long-term control. Altman recalled a tense exchange where Musk's co-founders questioned what would happen to control upon his death, with Musk suggesting it might pass to his children.

OpenAI was co-founded by Musk and Altman in 2015. Musk departed the organization in 2018 after disagreements with his co-founders regarding its direction and governance. The core of Musk's lawsuit revolved around his belief that OpenAI had strayed from its foundational principles.

The jury's verdict underscores the importance of timely legal action and the challenges of proving claims related to initial founding agreements, especially in rapidly evolving technological ventures. The case's resolution leaves the future direction of OpenAI and its relationship with its founders and early backers under scrutiny.