USA Today Co., along with several local newspapers it owns, is suing OpenAI over allegations that the company copied “hundreds of thousands” of articles to train its AI models. In a filing made on Thursday, the publisher is seeking over $250 million in damages, alleging that OpenAI's unauthorized use of its content has caused real and continuing harm to its outlets.
This legal action is part of a growing wave of copyright lawsuits targeting OpenAI. In addition to the New York Times, the company is also facing legal action from The Intercept, Ziff Davis (CNET owner), CBC/Radio-Canada, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster, The Seattle Times, and a coalition of nearly 400 local newspapers.
According to the lawsuit filed by USA Today Co., “OpenAI’s commercial success rests on large-scale copyright infringement.” The complaint alleges that OpenAI never asked for permission to use the content and instead “took” USA Today’s articles to “build products worth hundreds of billions of dollars.” Other local outlets included in the suit include The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Oklahoman.
OpenAI has not immediately responded to a request for comment from The Verge.
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