Two more newspapers file copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft
The Seattle Times and Newsday have sued OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unauthorized use of their journalism to train AI models. The lawsuit claims AI could 'destroy' the journalism industry and describes the technology as a 'snake eating its own tail.' Microsoft said it was surprised by the suit and open to discussing solutions.
The Seattle Times and Newsday have joined a growing wave of litigation against AI developers, alleging that OpenAI and Microsoft improperly used their copyrighted articles to train large language models. The plaintiffs contend that these systems function as voracious consumers of human writing, producing derivative imitations that undermine the original publishers. They warn that this practice could irreparably harm the news industry.
This case stands out because of a prior financial relationship: Microsoft and OpenAI had supported some of the Seattle Times' journalism initiatives. A Microsoft representative expressed surprise at the legal action, stating a willingness to discuss resolutions. The lawsuit follows a similar 2023 action by The New York Times, and other publishers have since filed their own claims, indicating a broader industry conflict.
This legal battle could reshape the economics of both journalism and AI development. If publishers prevail, tech firms may face higher licensing costs, potentially slowing AI innovation or forcing them to rely on less reliable data sources. For society, the outcome may determine whether independent newsrooms can survive in an AI-driven information landscape, influencing the quality and diversity of public discourse. Readers could see either more robust funding for journalism or a chilling effect on AI capabilities.