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NYT alleges Microsoft, OpenAI knew using news content was theft
Brief published September 19, 2026 ยท Original source published September 18, 2026
Original reporting at channelnewsasia.com.
Automated brief. Verify important details at the original source.
What happened
A court document unsealed September 17 contains allegations by the New York Times that OpenAI committed what it calls an unprecedented theft by using millions of copyrighted news articles to train its AI models. The Times filed the lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft in New York federal court, claiming the companies knowingly used its copyrighted material to train ChatGPT. The case has been active for three years, with the unsealed filing representing a new stage in the litigation.
Why it matters
The outcome could set binding precedent on whether using copyrighted text for AI training constitutes infringement. A ruling against OpenAI and Microsoft would force the industry to renegotiate data sourcing practices or limit training datasets, directly affecting how foundation models are built and licensed.
What to watch
The next procedural milestone is how the federal court responds to the newly unsealed allegations, including any rulings on discovery scope or motions that could shape what evidence is admissible as the case advances.