Issue 113: More on Copyright and Foundational AI Models

Issue 113: More on Copyright and Foundational AI Models

Two years ago this month, I wrote a
DLTJ Thursday Threads
article on the
copyright implications of foundational AI models
.
A lot has happened in those 24 months.
This issue mostly focuses on lawsuits, plus an announcement of a service offering image generation from licensed content.
These articles highlight the growing tension between content creators and technology companies as AI technologies increasingly rely on large datasets that include licensed and, in some instances, pirated content.
From late 2023, the
New York Times sues OpenAI and Microsoft
for alleged copyright infringement in AI training (with late-breaking update).
U.S. judge partially favors OpenAI while
permitting unfair competition claim
in authors’ copyright lawsuit in this ruling from early 2024.
Last month Thomson Reuters
wins landmark U.S. AI copyright case
, potentially establishing a legal precedent.
Microsoft
guarantees legal protection for Copilot users
from copyright lawsuits.
Meta’s training of its AI with pirated LibGen books
sparks legal and ethical debate
.
Nvidia denies copyright infringement
in the use of shadow libraries for AI training.
Getty Images launched an
AI image generator
using its licensed library in 2023.
This Week I Learned
: «But where is everybody?!?» — the origins of Fermi’s Paradox
This week’s cat
Also on DLTJ this past week:
In OCLC v Anna’s Archive, New/Novel Issues Sent to State Court
: The case of OCLC against Anna’s Archive, accused of “data scraping” from OCLC’s WorldCat, takes a turn as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio decides to certify several “novel and unsettled” legal questions to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
My protest signage improved at this week’s #TeslaTakedown
: My improved sign said «Our GOVERNMENT was fine. Now it is MUSKed UP! FIRE ELON!» Read the post for instructions on printing your own copy of this protest sign.
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New York Times sues OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright infringement in AI training
The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft on Wednesday over the tech companies’ use of its copyrighted articles to train their artificial intelligence technology, joining a growing wave of opposition to the tech industry’s using creative work without paying for it or getting permission. OpenAI and Microsoft used “millions” of Times articles to help build their tech, which is now extremely lucrative and directly competes with the Times’s own services, the newspaper’s lawyers wrote in a complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan.
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New York Times sues OpenAI, Microsoft for using ar…