A group of prominent Canadian media companies has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the AI giant of “inappropriate and illegal” use of their journalism to train its GPT models, according to a report by Reuters.
The lawsuit, filed by heavyweights like Postmedia (owners of the National Post), the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, and CBC/Radio-Canada, alleges that OpenAI used their content without permission or compensation to develop tools like ChatGPT.
“OpenAI’s claim that it’s fair or in the public interest to exploit other companies’ intellectual property for commercial gain is simply wrong,” said Postmedia in a statement. “Journalism serves the public interest. OpenAI using journalism for its own profit is not only unethical—it’s illegal.”
What’s at Stake
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and an injunction to prevent OpenAI from using their content for AI training in the future. According to The Guardian, they’re asking for up to C$20,000 per article—a figure that could add up to billions of dollars if the lawsuit succeeds.
OpenAI has defended its practices by citing “fair use,” a legal doctrine that permits limited, unlicensed use of copyrighted material in specific situations. However, this interpretation has faced pushback from content creators and legal experts alike.
OpenAI’s Response
In a statement, OpenAI spokesperson Jason Deutrom emphasized the company’s efforts to work with publishers: “We collaborate closely with news outlets, providing attribution, links, and tools for them to opt out if they choose.”
As the debate around copyright and AI intensifies, this lawsuit underscores the need for clearer rules and fair compensation frameworks in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how AI companies interact with intellectual property moving forward.
