The New York Times has taken legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement in a lawsuit filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan. The lawsuit claims that the companies used millions of Times articles to train automated chatbots, positioning them as competitors to the news outlet. While an exact monetary demand is not specified, the suit seeks damages totaling “billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages” for the “unlawful copying and use of The Times’s uniquely valuable works.”
Additionally, the lawsuit calls for the destruction of chatbot models and training data using copyrighted material from The Times. The Times had reportedly raised concerns with Microsoft and OpenAI in April, initiating discussions about a potential resolution. However, the lawsuit contends that these talks did not lead to a satisfactory resolution. OpenAI expressed surprise and disappointment in response to the lawsuit, emphasizing its commitment to working with content creators.
The legal battle highlights emerging issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence and copyright law, with potential implications for the news industry and the broader use of AI technologies. The lawsuit alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft, valued at over $80 billion and having committed $13 billion to OpenAI, respectively, have used The Times’s content without payment, creating products that substitute for and compete with The Times. The legal action may test the boundaries of copyright law in the context of generative AI technologies. It comes amidst a growing trend of lawsuits related to the uncompensated use of intellectual property by AI systems, impacting various creative industries and prompting discussions about the future of copyright in the AI era.
The Times, one of the few media outlets with successful online journalism business models, is concerned that chatbots generated from its copyrighted material could divert readers away from its website, reducing advertising and subscription revenue. The lawsuit underscores the evolving dynamics between traditional media organizations and AI technology companies, emphasizing the need for legal clarity as these technologies continue to advance.
