USA Today files copyright lawsuit against OpenAI seeking over $250 million

USA Today Co., which owns USA Today and multiple local newspapers, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in a federal court on Thursday, alleging the company copied 'hundreds of thousands' of articles without permission to train its AI models. The publisher is seeking damages of more than $250 million, claiming OpenAI's use of its content caused 'real and continuing' harm to its outlets.

The lawsuit joins a growing list of copyright infringement cases against OpenAI, including actions from The New York Times, The Intercept, Ziff Davis (owner of CNET), CBC/Radio-Canada, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Merriam-Webster, The Seattle Times, and a coalition of nearly 400 local newspapers. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

USA Today Co.'s filing alleges OpenAI never sought permission to use its content and instead 'took' the articles to 'build products worth hundreds of billions of dollars.' The lawsuit includes several local outlets owned by USA Today Co., such as The Tennessean, Indy Star, The Columbus Dispatch, and The Oklahoman.