Two prominent authors, Nicholas A. Basbanes and Nicholas Gage, have filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against tech giants OpenAI and Microsoft.
Joining a wave of complaints from fellow top writers, the lawsuit alleges a flagrant and deliberate theft of their copyrighted works to fuel the training of OpenAI's powerful language models, resulting in what the authors assert to be a billion-dollar artificial intelligence system.
Illustration picture shows the ChatGPT artificial intelligence software, which generates human-like conversation, Friday 03 February 2023 in Lierde.
Massive Allegations Against ChatGPT
As Engadget reports, the lawsuit filed by Basbanes and Gage provides a clear picture of these companies' behavior, alleging that they systematically stole copyrighted materials to develop their lucrative artificial intelligence technology.
The writers claim that although they, as professional writers, devote their resources to research and content creation, the defendants, who possessed "ready access to billions in capital", "simply stole" their work rather than look into fair compensation schemes to "build another billion+ dollar commercial industry."
Claims and Class Action
The lawsuit, seeking up to $150,000 for each infringed work and a permanent injunction, aims to represent a class of writers whose works have allegedly been misused by the defendants.
It is estimated that this class could potentially encompass tens of thousands of individuals.
Earlier Lawsuits
This legal action adds to a series of lawsuits filed against OpenAI, including a notable case by fiction authors George R.R. Martin, John Grisham, and Jodi Picoult, and The New York Times' own lawsuit against the companies for using their articles for AI training.
The gravity of these combined legal challenges puts the spotlight on ethical considerations in the development of AI technology.
Nicholas Basbanes, known for his expertise in the history of books and book culture, and Nicholas Gage, an investigative journalist whose memoir "Eleni" was made into a film, bring significant literary weight to this recent legal battle.
Mike Richter, representing Basbanes and Gage, highlighted the severity of the situation, likening the unauthorized use of copyrighted work to a form of theft (via CNBC).
He emphasized the need to value the efforts of writers and their intellectual property, drawing attention to the broader disregard for writers' contributions in the face of technological advancement.
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Response and Ongoing Discussions
While Microsoft and OpenAI have been approached for comment on the lawsuit, their previous statements suggest a willingness to engage with content creators to ensure fair use of their work.
OpenAI, in response to The New York Times' lawsuit, expressed a commitment to respect content creators' rights and explore mutually beneficial collaborations.
This latest legal confrontation underscores a critical debate at the intersection of technology and intellectual property rights.
As these lawsuits unfold, they signal a pivotal moment in defining the responsibilities and obligations of AI companies towards creators whose works fuel their advancements.
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