UPDATE: The Chicago Tribune has just filed a federal lawsuit against the AI-powered search engine Perplexity, accusing it of serious copyright violations. This urgent development, filed in a New York court, highlights the ongoing conflict between traditional media and emerging AI technologies, raising significant questions about the future of intellectual property rights.
According to court documents, the Tribune alleges that Perplexity has been using its content without permission, igniting a fierce debate over the ethical boundaries of AI in content generation. The lawsuit was officially lodged on October 20, 2023, after the Tribune sought clarification from Perplexity regarding the use of its material for AI training purposes.
In a previous exchange, Perplexity’s legal team reportedly claimed that while the AI does not train directly on Tribune material, the system “may receive non-verbatim factual summaries.” The Tribune vehemently disputes this assertion, stating that Perplexity reproduces its articles verbatim, violating copyright laws and bypassing necessary licensing agreements.
The lawsuit also scrutinizes Perplexity’s use of a technique known as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG). This method aims to reduce AI errors by sourcing information from verified texts. However, the Tribune contends that Perplexity’s RAG system utilizes its content without authorization, effectively circumventing the Tribune’s paywall through its Comet browser, where detailed summaries of articles are generated.
This legal action is part of a broader trend where media companies are increasingly challenging AI platforms over the unauthorized use of their content. The Tribune is not alone in its fight; it joins 16 other publications that have filed a similar suit against OpenAI and Microsoft, targeting how AI models are trained using copyrighted materials.
The recent surge in lawsuits, culminating in several actions taken in November, underscores the growing tension between traditional media outlets and AI developers concerning intellectual property rights. Earlier this year, Merriam-Webster and Britannica also filed lawsuits over copyright and trademark violations against AI companies, indicating a widespread discomfort with how AI technologies are reshaping the media landscape.
As these legal battles unfold, the implications for both the media industry and AI development could be profound. The outcome may set significant precedents regarding the use of copyrighted material in AI training, impacting not just the Tribune but potentially every media organization grappling with similar concerns.
WHAT’S NEXT: Observers will be watching closely as this case progresses, particularly how it may influence ongoing discussions about AI regulation and copyright laws. The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated, as they will likely shape the future landscape of content creation and distribution in the digital age.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. The fight for intellectual property rights in the AI era is just beginning, and the stakes are higher than ever.
