- The New York Times sued Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright infringement over unauthorized use of Times articles to train AI systems like ChatGPT
- Lawsuit alleges “mass copyright infringement,” seeks billions in damages as AI competes with and impacts Times content
- Times aims to hold tech giants accountable, set precedent on obtaining consent and compensation for commercial AI use of news content
The New York Times filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Microsoft and OpenAI, the maker of the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, accusing the tech giants of copyright infringement.
Lawsuit Seeks Billions in Damages for Alleged Misuse of Times Content
In its lawsuit filed in federal court in New York, the Times is seeking to hold Microsoft and OpenAI accountable for “billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages” for the alleged “unlawful copying and use of The Times’s uniquely valuable works.” The Times says Microsoft and OpenAI abused its intellectual property without permission to train their artificial intelligence systems.
The Times Says AI Systems Directly Compete with Its Content
The Times argues that Microsoft and OpenAI’s AI models, like GPT-3 and GPT-4, directly compete with Times content. The newspaper says the AI systems alter Times articles, remove key contextual details, and mimic the paper’s writing style. This impacts the Times’ ability to monetize its content through subscriptions, licensing fees, advertising and affiliate revenue.
Publishers Concerned AI Chatbots Will Divert Traffic from News Sites
The Times is one of several major news organizations seeking compensation from AI companies for the alleged usage of their content without consent. Publishers are worried AI chatbots like ChatGPT will reduce traffic to their sites, shrinking revenues. OpenAI has tried to address these concerns by partnering with some publishers.
Lawsuit Alleges “Mass Copyright Infringement” by Tech Giants
In its lawsuit, the Times accused Microsoft and OpenAI of building businesses based on “mass copyright infringement.” The paper argues the companies’ AI systems have reproduced Times content extensively in order to train their natural language models. The Times says this constitutes unauthorized commercial use of its intellectual property.
The Times Seeks to Hold Tech Companies Accountable for AI’s Impact on Media
While recognizing the potential of AI, the Times says companies must follow copyright law and obtain permission to use news content commercially. The lawsuit represents an effort by the Times to assert its rights as AI transforms the media landscape. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the tech and publishing industries.
