URGENT UPDATE: The Chicago Tribune has just filed a federal lawsuit against the AI search engine Perplexity for alleged copyright violations. The lawsuit, lodged in a New York court, claims that Perplexity has been using the Tribune’s content without permission, igniting a heated debate over AI and intellectual property rights.
According to the Tribune, they reached out to Perplexity in mid-October 2023 to address concerns that their material was being utilized for AI training. Perplexity’s legal representatives responded by asserting that they do not train their models directly on Tribune content; however, they admitted that the AI “may receive non-verbatim factual summaries.” The Tribune disputes this claim, arguing that Perplexity reproduces its articles verbatim, thereby infringing on its copyright.
The lawsuit also raises significant concerns regarding Perplexity’s use of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), a technology intended to minimize AI “hallucinations”—instances where AI generates false information. The Tribune alleges that Perplexity’s RAG system accesses their content without authorization, while its Comet browser reportedly bypasses the Tribune’s paywall to create detailed summaries of their articles. This practice could set a dangerous precedent for how AI models gather and regenerate copyrighted materials in real time.
This legal action reflects a growing trend among media companies demanding accountability from AI platforms regarding their use of copyrighted content. Just recently, the Tribune joined 16 other publications in a similar lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft over AI model training disputes. The rising tension between traditional media and AI developers highlights critical issues surrounding intellectual property rights that could affect various businesses.
Previously, notable organizations such as Merriam-Webster and Britannica have initiated lawsuits over copyright and trademark violations, while Amazon recently accused another AI firm of unfair practices. These developments underline the urgent need for clarity in the evolving landscape of AI technology and media rights.
As this story unfolds, the implications for journalism and AI development are profound. The Chicago Tribune’s bold legal maneuver signals a crucial moment in the ongoing struggle between traditional media and emerging AI technologies. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.
