Judge Dismisses Copyright Lawsuit Against OpenAI, Setting Precedent for Future AI Cases
November 8, 2024The plaintiffs claimed that OpenAI used their content without consent, focusing on copyright management information under the DMCA.
This ruling is significant as it sets a precedent that may influence future copyright claims against AI companies, emphasizing the need for evidence of harm.
A federal judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit filed by news outlets Raw Story and AlterNet against OpenAI, which accused the company of unauthorized training of ChatGPT on their articles.
Judge McMahon expressed doubts about the plaintiffs' ability to demonstrate a valid injury in a potential new complaint.
The outlets argued that ChatGPT reproduces their copyrighted content when users prompt it with queries related to their articles.
While the court did not rule out the potential for legitimate claims regarding OpenAI's use of the plaintiffs' articles, it did not address this issue in the current proceedings.
OpenAI defended its practices by stating that its AI models are built using publicly available data under fair use principles.
Experts warn that this ruling could limit publishers' ability to sue for IP infringement related to AI training, potentially reshaping copyright law.
Current rulings suggest that courts require clear, demonstrable harm for copyright claims, making it challenging for plaintiffs to succeed in similar lawsuits.
Raw Story's CEO John Byrne has indicated a determination to continue pursuing the case, seeking permission to file an amended complaint.
The ongoing evolution of AI technology improves information access but raises significant legal and ethical challenges for content creators.
Despite the dismissal, Raw Story and AlterNet are considering refiling their lawsuit if they can provide a valid explanation for amendments.
Summary based on 13 sources
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Sources
Gizmodo • Nov 8, 2024
OpenAI Gets a Win as Court Says No Harm Was Demonstrated in Copyright CaseVentureBeat • Nov 8, 2024
OpenAI’s data scraping wins big as Raw Story’s copyright lawsuit dismissed by NY court