At the end of April, eight major daily newspapers owned by the Alden Global Capital group, including well-known publications such as The New York Daily News and The Chicago Tribune, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringements.
This lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, raises crucial questions about the interaction between artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law. It highlights the challenges and implications of using copyrighted content to train AI technologies such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.
Key allegations and copyright law
At the heart of this lawsuit is the accusation that OpenAI and Microsoft have used several copyrighted articles, without prior authorization, to improve their AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. According to the newspapers, this practice infringes the exclusive rights granted by the “Copyright Act of 1976”, 17 U.S.C. § 101, et seq.
Impact on the economy and reputation
Newspapers claim that their substantial investments in journalism are being undermined by these technology companies, which would use the content to fuel their artificial intelligence systems. This would not only be a potential infringement of copyright law, but would also affect newspapers’ revenue streams. AI technologies, which extract content behind paywalls, could reduce readers’ incentive to subscribe, thus directly impacting the revenues of the media concerned.
In addition, the lawsuit claims that inaccuracies in AI-generated content can damage the reputation of these publications, by disseminating false or misleading information.
Response from the major AI players
In response to these allegations, an OpenAI spokesperson noted that the company was unaware of these specific concerns, and indicated that discussions were currently underway with various news organizations to explore possibilities for cooperation. Microsoft has chosen not to comment on the ongoing legal dispute.
Looking forward
AI continues to evolve, as do the frameworks that govern its use of data. This lawsuit regarding copyright infringements is not just a commercial dispute; it’s a landmark case that could shape the rules and ethics of AI development. The outcome could influence the way technology companies engage with content creators, either by opening up new possibilities for collaboration, or by imposing stricter barriers to protect copyright.
For publishers and technology companies alike, this is a watershed moment that could redefine the boundaries of copyright in the digital age. The legal community, the technology industry and content creators will be following developments closely, as the decisions in this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI technology and journalistic integrity.
