The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft have used copyrighted materials to train their AI models. The New York federal court received a complaint that claims that CIR’s contents were exploited by OpenAI without permission or payment.
Monika Bauerlein, CEO of CIR, emphasized the existential threat posed by AI tools that replace direct engagement with the original content of Mother Jones and Reveal. According to Bauerlein, this jeopardizes the financial foundation of independent news organizations.
However, companies have filed lawsuits against both OpenAI and Microsoft, including the New York Times, Daily News NY, and many best-selling authors. By suing the two companies, these legal battles bring into the spotlight a controversial issue which is about utilizing copyright materials for training artificial intelligence in the AI era without appropriate permission.
OpenAI and other AI developers argue that their use of publicly accessible content falls under the “fair use” doctrine of American copyright law. Despite this, some news organizations, including The AP, The Wall Street Journal, and Time, have opted to sign licensing deals with OpenAI to receive compensation for their content. Recently Time announced a multi-year agreement granting OpenAI access to its archives.
Also Read: Elon Musk Withdraws Lawsuit Against OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman
