Michaela
A federal judge in Manhattan has ordered OpenAI to provide 20 million ChatGPT user chat logs as part of a copyright lawsuit filed by the New York Times (NYT), ruling the records are relevant to the publisher’s claims.
Key Points
- A judge ordered OpenAI to hand over 20 million ChatGPT logs for the NYT copyright case.
- OpenAI argued the logs contain private user conversations, but the court rejected this.
- The lawsuit could shape future rules on AI training and use of copyrighted content.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Ona Wang ruled that the millions of ChatGPT logs are relevant to the New York Times’ claims and determined that providing the records would not compromise user privacy, rejecting OpenAI’s previous objections on privacy grounds.
“This demand disregards long-standing privacy protections, breaks with common-sense security practices, and would force us to turn over tens of millions of highly personal conversations from people who have no connection to the Times’ baseless lawsuit against OpenAI,” OpenAI’s Chief Information Security Officer, Dane Stuckey, argued in a blog post, writing directly to users.
The New York Times alleges that OpenAI incorporated copyrighted material from their publications without permission to train the company’s AI model. The publication is seeking evidence to determine the extent to which the AI may have reproduced or relied on that content.
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In December, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman commented on the ongoing lawsuit, stating that while he would not discuss the case’s details, he believed the publication “is on the wrong side of history in many ways.”
The case examines the balance between AI development and intellectual property rights, noting broader legal questions about how generative AI systems source and use protected content.
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As AI systems like ChatGPT become increasingly capable of generating human-like content, courts are being asked to navigate uncharted territory in copyright law. The decision could set important precedents for how AI companies access and use creative works, potentially influencing licensing practices and industry standards.
Beyond the courtroom, the dispute spotlights broader questions about transparency, accountability, and user trust in AI platforms. Regardless of the outcome, this lawsuit signals that content creators, AI developers, and regulators will need to find clearer rules for collaboration, data use, and the ethical development of next-generation AI technology.
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MICHAELA
Michaela is a news writer focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain topics. She prioritizes rigorous research and accuracy to uncover interesting angles and ensure engaging reporting. A lifelong book lover, she applies her passion for reading to deeply explore the constantly evolving crypto world.
