A group of eight U.S. newspapers is suing ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Microsoft
A group of eight U.S. newspapers is taking legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing the tech giants of using millions of copyrighted news articles without authorization or compensation to train their artificial intelligence chatbots. The lawsuit, filed in a New York federal court, includes publications such as the New York Daily News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Denver Post.
In a written statement, Frank Pine, the executive editor for the MediaNews Group and Tribune Publishing, expressed concerns about the unauthorized use of their content. He stated, "We’ve invested significant resources in gathering and reporting news, and we cannot allow OpenAI and Microsoft to profit from our work without permission."
Newspapers involved in the lawsuit
Aside from the mentioned newspapers, other publications part of the legal action include MediaNews Group's Mercury News, Orange County Register, and St. Paul Pioneer-Press, as well as Tribune Publishing’s Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel. These newspapers are all under the ownership of Alden Global Capital.
Microsoft chose not to provide a comment on the matter, while OpenAI responded by highlighting its efforts to collaborate with news organizations. The tech company stated that they are involved in discussions with various media outlets globally to address concerns and explore mutually beneficial solutions.
Legal challenges faced by OpenAI and Microsoft
This lawsuit adds to the legal troubles faced by OpenAI and Microsoft, with similar copyright infringement cases already underway at Manhattan's federal court. The companies are also contending with lawsuits from prominent media organizations and bestselling authors such as John Grisham and George R.R. Martin.
Technology firms argue that utilizing publicly available internet content for AI training falls under the "fair use" doctrine of U.S. copyright law. Some companies have opted to obtain content licenses to avoid potential legal disputes, including OpenAI's agreement with the Associated Press to access their news archive for a fee.
OpenAI has also secured licensing agreements with major media companies in Europe, including Axel Springer in Germany, Prisa Media in Spain, and Le Monde in France. Recently, the company announced a partnership with the Financial Times based in London.
It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold as tech companies continue to navigate the complex landscape of copyright and artificial intelligence.
