The Trump administration has announced its support for OpenAI in a legal dispute against the New York Times, focusing on the contentious issue of using copyrighted material for training artificial intelligence models.
The lawsuit claims that OpenAI, along with its principal investor Microsoft, improperly utilized millions of articles from the Times without authorization to refine its widely used chatbot. This case, initiated in 2023, has garnered additional support from other newspaper organizations.
In a document submitted to a federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday, the US government made its first official stance on the burgeoning conflict surrounding AI technology and copyright laws. Though this brief holds no legal power, it might provide leverage for technology firms as they navigate the legal challenges ahead.
The brief emphasizes, “The United States has a significant interest in fostering a vibrant and competitive artificial intelligence sector that helps establish global standards for AI practices… It is essential for the U.S. to maintain its leadership position in artificial intelligence.”
Numerous copyright holders—including writers, publishers, record labels, and news organizations—have initiated multiple lawsuits against tech companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta Platforms. They argue that these corporations are improperly appropriating their work for training AI systems without offering any compensation.
For AI chatbots to formulate their responses, machine learning frameworks must first process vast amounts of text. These systems analyze language statistically, predicting what words should follow based on user inquiries and their extensive databases.
As of Wednesday, neither the Times nor OpenAI had responded to inquiries regarding the recent filing.
U.S. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr. stated, “Dominating AI technology is vital for enhancing national security, economic prosperity, and opportunities for all Americans." According to him, the current administration is committed to ensuring that the nation does not fall behind its global rivals due to misinterpretations of copyright law.
Separately, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick addressed G20 representatives in North Carolina, advocating for the acceptance of fair use principles. He emphasized the need for a balance that would permit AI companies to use creators’ work for model training while also safeguarding artists’ rights.
Legal proceedings will likely center on whether AI technologies engage in fair use of copyrighted materials by generating new, transformative works. Earlier rulings by two judges on this topic yielded contrasting conclusions last year.
In its Tuesday brief, the government aligned with tech companies, asserting that AI training is “extraordinarily” transformative. The document stated, “Beyond the specifics of this case, large language models (LLMs) are already driving significant advancements in various fields. Restricting LLM development based on a misunderstanding of fair use would stifle both creative and scientific innovation while hampering American economic growth and mobility.”
