Why we're taking legal action against Open AI and other scrapers ...
Earlier this year, we discovered that OpenAI was scraping content from Mumsnet without permission. This practice goes against our terms of use, which prohibit any distribution, scraping, or copying of our site's content without express approval. Despite our attempts to reach a licensing agreement with OpenAI, they expressed more interest in datasets that are not readily available online.
The Issue of Web Scraping and Copyright Infringement
Web scraping, especially for the purpose of training large language models, poses a significant problem for online publishers like us. While search engines like Google crawl websites for indexing, there is a clear value exchange in allowing them to access content. In contrast, entities like OpenAI and Microsoft are scraping content to train AI models without consent, potentially leading to the erosion of unique voices and perspectives present on platforms like Mumsnet.
The Importance of Protecting Online Content
For Mumsnet, the decision to take legal action against OpenAI and other tech giants is crucial in safeguarding our platform and the contributions of our community members. By challenging these practices, we aim to preserve the integrity of online content and prevent the monopolization of information by a few powerful entities.
Support and Impact
As we embark on this legal battle, we appreciate the support and understanding of our users and advocates for online integrity. Your engagement and encouragement fuel our resolve to stand up against unauthorized content scraping and defend the principles of fair use and respect for creators' rights.
We believe that by taking a stand, we are not only protecting Mumsnet but also advocating for a more equitable online environment where content creators are duly recognized and respected.
Thank you for standing with us in this pursuit of justice and accountability.
