Canadian news publishers suing ChatGPT developer OpenAI – CP24
A coalition of Canadian news publishers is suing OpenAI for using news content to train its ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence system, stating that the company breaches copyright by scraping large swaths of content from media websites.
The coalition, which comprises The Canadian Press, Torstar, The Globe and Mail, Postmedia, and CBC/Radio-Canada, emphasized that companies invest significant amounts of money into journalism, with content that is protected by copyright.
Legal Battle
OpenAI is accused of capitalizing and profiting from the use of news content without obtaining permission or compensating content owners. The publishers argue that while they welcome technological advancements, all parties must adhere to the law, with intellectual property usage based on fair terms.
The lawsuit filed in an Ontario court seeks damages, with statutory damages of $20,000 per work suggested, along with an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using the news content. The coalition claims ongoing, deliberate, and unauthorized misappropriation of their valuable news media works.
Industry Impact
The lawsuit marks the first of its kind in Canada, with similar actions underway in the United States. AI companies are criticized for strip-mining journalism and enriching themselves at the expense of news publishers.
Lisa Macklem, a lecturer at King’s University College, noted the significance of the case in shaping regulations for AI in the copyright landscape. The outcome could influence how generative AI collects data moving forward.
Government Response
The Canadian government is currently evaluating updates to federal copyright laws to address the rise of generative AI. Stakeholders have called for clarity on the use of their content to train AI systems, with debates on the balance between innovation and copyright protection.
Benjamin Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, urged the government to expedite legislation for clear rules in the AI space to avoid legal disputes and foster a conducive environment for technological advancement.
Regulatory Developments
In 2023, the Liberal government passed the Online News Act, mandating compensation from Google and Meta to news publishers for content usage. The CRTC oversees the Act's implementation, with ongoing discussions on its application to AI systems.
Notably, Google and Meta have their own generative AI systems, with reports of using Canadian news for training or providing responses to user queries. The CRTC is assessing compliance with the legislation, emphasizing platforms' responsibilities under the Online News Act.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Nov. 29, 2024.
