News nonprofit files lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement

In a significant development in the ongoing battle against unauthorized use of content on artificial intelligence platforms, the Center for Investigative Reporting has filed a lawsuit against ChatGPT maker OpenAI and its business partner, Microsoft. The lawsuit, which was announced on Thursday, highlights the news industry's concerns about the potential impact of AI tools on user engagement with independent news organizations. The legal action is part of a broader trend, with OpenAI and Microsoft already facing multiple copyright lawsuits from prominent media outlets and bestselling authors in Manhattan’s federal court. The lawsuit underscores the critical role that user support plays in sustaining independent newsrooms like Mother Jones and Reveal. The concern is that if users primarily engage with AI tools rather than directly with news organizations, it could undermine the foundation of these newsrooms and pose a threat to the future of journalism. While some news organizations have opted to collaborate with OpenAI by reaching compensation agreements for sharing content, others are choosing to challenge the unauthorized use of their material through legal means. OpenAI has emphasized its collaborative efforts with the news industry, stating that it partners with global publishers to feature their content in products like ChatGPT, providing summaries, quotes, and attribution to drive traffic back to the original articles. However, the issue of fair compensation for news content used to train AI systems remains a point of contention. The lawsuit raises questions about the financial implications for news media when their content is utilized by AI companies without adequate compensation, highlighting the need to address this imbalance in the digital landscape. The lawsuit comes at a time when the news industry is grappling with evolving challenges posed by technological advancements and the digital dissemination of content. As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the complex interplay between intellectual property rights, fair use doctrines, and the financial sustainability of news organizations. With Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting at the forefront of this legal action, the outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the relationship between news media and AI developers.