The New York Times has initiated a federal lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement for using its stories to train chatbots. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, accuses both companies of unlawfully utilizing the Times’ content to enhance their AI technologies, which they claim compete with and threaten the Times’ own services. OpenAI and Microsoft have yet to respond to these allegations.
This legal action is part of a broader trend of individuals and publishers challenging OpenAI’s use of copyrighted material. The Times argues that OpenAI and Microsoft’s actions constitute a free ride on its journalistic investments. They have not specified the damages sought but are pushing for the destruction of GPT and other large language models that include their work.
Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI since 2019, integrates OpenAI’s technology into its products. The increasing use of AI in media and other industries has sparked significant legal and ethical debates.
The lawsuit also highlights failed negotiations between the Times, OpenAI, and Microsoft. The Times had previously approached the companies in April, seeking fair compensation and a responsible approach to developing AI technology that supports a well-informed public. However, these discussions did not reach a resolution, leading to the current legal action.