Companies

New York Times Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Microsoft for Copyright Infringement

Published December 28, 2023

In a notable legal confrontation, The New York Times Company, identified on the stock market as NYT, has instigated a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft Corporation, referred to by the ticker MSFT. The media giant alleges that the two tech companies have infringed upon its copyright by utilizing its content in the development of artificial intelligence chatbots without receiving proper authorization.

Background of Parties Involved

Microsoft Corporation, the tech behemoth, operates globally, offering a wide array of products that encompass software like the Microsoft Windows operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and browsers such as Internet Explorer and Edge. Additionally, it manufactures the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface series of personal computing devices. Microsoft is not only a Fortune 500 leader but also a pinnacle of the software market. Meanwhile, The New York Times Company, NYT, is a renowned producer and disseminator of journalistic content, based in the heart of New York City.

The Core of the Infringement Dispute

The discourse centers around the alleged unauthorized use of millions of articles from The New York Times by OpenAI and Microsoft to fine-tune their conversational AI technology. The New York Times contends that this use of their articles constitutes a brazen disregard for copyright laws. These AI innovations are a product of extensive training on diverse datasets, which purportedly included content from the media organization. The plaintiff is seeking a legal terminal to this practice that they deem as a violation of their intellectual property.

Implications of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft indicates a brewing tension between media corporations and tech entities over the use of copyrighted materials for AI development. This case could potentially set significant legal precedents concerning copyright law and artificial intelligence. The outcome of the legal battle will be keenly eyed by both sectors, as it may influence future collaborations and technological advancements.

lawsuit, copyright, AI