CIR Sues OpenAI, Microsoft for Copyright Infringement in AI Training

The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement related to their use of CIR’s content in training AI models without permission or compensation.

Key details of the lawsuit: The CIR claims that OpenAI and Microsoft have copied, used, and displayed CIR’s journalistic content without authorization, and that OpenAI trained ChatGPT to disregard copyright:

• The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York, with the CIR seeking damages and profits from the defendants.
• CIR’s CEO accused OpenAI and Microsoft of “free rider behavior,” using their stories to enhance AI products without asking for permission or offering compensation.
• The plaintiffs allege that the defendants had a choice to respect works of journalism but chose not to.

Growing tensions between news industry and AI companies: The CIR’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by news organizations against OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of their content in AI training:

• The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and other publications have recently filed similar suits, alleging intellectual property violations and seeking substantial damages.
• With the news industry facing challenges in maintaining sufficient revenue, many publications are aggressively trying to protect their businesses as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent.

Collaborations between OpenAI and some news organizations: While some news companies are taking legal action, others are partnering with OpenAI to leverage their content in AI products:

• Time magazine and OpenAI announced a multi-year content deal, allowing OpenAI to access and display Time’s current and archived articles within ChatGPT.
• News Corp. and Reddit have also announced partnerships with OpenAI, granting access to their content for AI training and product enhancement.

Analyzing the implications: The CIR’s lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft highlights the growing tension between the news industry and AI companies over the use of journalistic content in training AI models. As more publications take legal action to protect their intellectual property, the outcome of these cases could have significant implications for the future of AI development and its relationship with the media industry. While some news organizations are collaborating with OpenAI, the lawsuits underscore the need for clear guidelines and agreements regarding the use of copyrighted content in AI training to ensure fair compensation and respect for journalism.