Seattle Times and Newsday have filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging the companies used their journalistic content without authorization to train AI models like ChatGPT and Copilot. The move adds to a growing wave of copyright litigation that has shaken the AI industry since 2023.
The essentials
- Seattle Times and Newsday sue OpenAI and Microsoft over alleged unauthorized use of journalism
- Claim: Their content was used to train generative AI systems without permission
- New York Times filed a similar lawsuit in 2023; other publications have followed suit
- Notable detail: Microsoft and OpenAI had funded Seattle Times journalism projects and fellowships
The argument: "A snake eating its own tail"
The plaintiffs describe generative AI as a fundamental threat to journalism. Their language is sharp:
"AI products like ChatGPT and CoPilot are touted as producers of content, but in fact they are rapacious consumers, devouring human-authored content and delivering back to the world copies and derivative imitations of that same original content they consumed to achieve their commercial objectives."
The lawsuit warns that journalism could become "broken beyond repair" through AI. It's not a novel argument, but it carries weight when voiced by established media organizations.
Escalation since the New York Times
New York Times opened the legal floodgates in 2023 with its suit against OpenAI and Microsoft. Since then, more publishers have joined the fight. Seattle Times stands out for a particular irony: Microsoft and OpenAI had funded the newspaper's own journalism projects and fellowships—a contradiction the lawsuit underscores.
Microsoft's response suggests caution: A spokesperson told GeekWire the company is "surprised by the lawsuit" but is "always happy to sit down and explore solutions to this type of dispute." That reads like either a willingness to negotiate or damage control.
What this means for companies worldwide
These lawsuits aren't confined to the U.S. For media houses, publishers, and content producers everywhere, the core question is the same: Who controls how your content ends up in AI systems? Courts in Europe and beyond will likely see similar cases soon—and U.S. verdicts may set precedent. Companies should review whether their terms of service and licenses explicitly exclude or govern AI training. At the same time, the pattern is clear: major AI providers are willing to negotiate when pressure mounts.
Sources
Editorially owned by Ideal Syka. Sources and method: Newsroom & method. Tips and corrections: ai@i6eal.de.
