The Evolution of AI and Intellectual Property Disputes in the United States

AI Copyright Lawsuits: A Growing Concern for Content Publishers and Artificial Intelligence Companies

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a new wave of copyright lawsuits across the United States. These cases are pitting content publishers and rights holders against AI companies, with the outcome potentially reshaping the information ecosystem and the entire AI industry.

The First Strike: Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence

In May 2020, Thomson Reuters filed a lawsuit against small legal AI startup Ross Intelligence, alleging that it had violated US [highlight]copyright law[/highlight] by reproducing materials from Westlaw, Thomson Reuters’ legal research platform. This case was notable not only because of its timing but also because it marked the beginning of a larger conflict between content publishers and AI companies.

The Growing Number of Lawsuits

Over the past two years, dozens of copyright lawsuits have been filed against AI companies at an alarming rate. These cases involve a wide range of rights holders, including individual authors, visual artists, media companies, and music-industry giants. They all share a common concern: that AI companies are using their work to train highly lucrative and powerful AI models without consent or compensation.

The “Fair Use” Doctrine

AI companies have been defending themselves by relying on the “fair use” doctrine, which allows for the use of copyrighted materials without permission or payment under certain circumstances. Examples of fair use include parody, news reporting, and academic research. However, the application of this doctrine in AI cases is still a subject of debate.

The Impact on AI Companies

Nearly every major generative AI company has been pulled into these legal battles, including OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and Nvidia. These companies are not only defending themselves but also investing heavily in the development of their AI tools to ensure they can continue to compete in the market.

The Visualized Cases

To help track and contextualize these lawsuits, WIRED has created a series of visualizations that will be updated as the cases progress. These visualizations provide an overview of which companies and rights holders are involved, where the cases have been filed, what they’re alleging, and everything else you need to know about this developing story.

The Ongoing Litigation

The Thomson Reuters v. Ross Intelligence case is still winding its way through the court system, with a trial originally scheduled for earlier this year delayed indefinitely. Other cases, such as The New York Times‘ lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, are currently in contentious discovery periods, where both parties are arguing over what information they need to turn over.

The outcome of these lawsuits has far-reaching implications for the entire AI industry and the information ecosystem. As WIRED continues to follow these cases, we will provide updates on how they unfold and what impact they may have on the future of AI development.