New York Times Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Microsoft Over Unauthorized Content Use

The New York Times has initiated legal action against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of using the publication’s content without permission. The lawsuit alleges that the AI creators are liable for substantial damages resulting from the unauthorized utilization of The Times’ valuable material. The filing claims “billions of dollars in statutory and actual damages” for the “unlawful copying and use” of The Times’ works to train large language models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The Times acknowledges the potential of AI for the public and journalism but emphasizes the need for permission, asserting that copyright law protects its journalism and content. The lawsuit contends that OpenAI and Microsoft’s language models can generate output that closely mimics Times content, damaging the publication’s relationship with readers and revenue streams.