In a groundbreaking move, The New York Times has initiated a legal battle against AI giants OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement by allegedly using millions of its articles to train AI models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, the lawsuit seeks “billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages.”
The legal action brings to the forefront a contentious issue in the AI industry, where major players leverage copyrighted content to train large language models, potentially reshaping the landscape of content creation and distribution.
The New York Times claims that its copyrighted articles were used to train AI models, enabling these technologies to compete directly with the media giant as content providers. The lawsuit contends that ChatGPT, in particular, occasionally responds to user queries with verbatim passages from The New York Times articles, potentially discouraging users from subscribing and leading to a loss of revenue.
The media outlet alleges that despite approaching OpenAI and Microsoft in the spring for a resolution, no agreement was reached. The court’s rulings in this high-profile case could set a precedent for similar claims by other organizations grappling with the unauthorized use of their content for AI training.
OpenAI responded in a statement, expressing surprise and disappointment with the legal action. The company emphasized its commitment to working with content creators and owners, highlighting ongoing, constructive conversations with The New York Times. OpenAI is hopeful that a mutually beneficial resolution can be achieved, pointing to existing partnerships, such as the one with Axel Springer, as examples of collaborations that benefit both parties.
This lawsuit follows a growing trend of legal challenges within the AI industry over the use of copyrighted material for training purposes. Earlier this year, prominent authors, including George R.R. Martin and John Grisham, filed a similar lawsuit against OpenAI. As AI firms grapple with legal complexities, partnerships with content creators, like the one with Axel Springer, are emerging as potential solutions to avoid legal disputes and ensure fair compensation.
In conclusion, The New York Times’ lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft underscores the evolving dynamics between traditional media outlets and AI companies. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for how AI firms source and use copyrighted content, shaping the future of content creation and intellectual property rights in the digital age.
