Lawsuit Alleges OpenAI and Microsoft Stole Authors’ Works for AI System
In a recent development, authors Nicholas Basbanes and Nicholas Gage have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, spearheaded by Sam Altman, and Microsoft, the major investor, asserting copyright infringement. The lawsuit, presented in a Manhattan federal court, contends that the AI systems developed by these tech entities were trained on a foundation of ‘massive amounts of written material,’ including books penned by the aforementioned journalists.
Basbanes and Gage argue that their works were unlawfully utilized in the creation of the AI framework, likening the actions of the companies to outright theft. Their lawsuit aims to represent a collective group of writers, suggesting that ‘tens of thousands’ of individuals may have faced similar copyright infringements. The plaintiffs seek damages of up to $150,000 for each of their works that were allegedly infringed upon.
Their legal representative, Mike Richter, drew an analogy, likening the situation to a homeowner refusing to pay for essential materials hidden within the walls of a house, emphasizing the significance of copyrighted works, even if not visibly apparent.
This lawsuit adds to OpenAI’s legal challenges, following a previous lawsuit last year involving 17 notable American non-fiction authors, including George RR Martin. These authors similarly accused the AI firm of copyright infringement, highlighting an ongoing legal battle concerning intellectual property rights in the realm of AI development.
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