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US Government Backs OpenAI in New York Times Copyright Case
🇮🇪 Ireland /Technology

US Government Backs OpenAI in New York Times Copyright Case

From RTÉ News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Documents & data In the courts
  • The US government filed a brief supporting OpenAI in copyright litigation brought by The New York Times and other rights holders over AI training.
  • The brief argues that training large language models on copyrighted texts is generally transformative fair use and cites scientific progress and national security.
  • The filing has advisory weight, while courts continue to consider whether AI companies unlawfully used copyrighted material to develop their systems.

The Trump administration has entered the growing copyright battle over artificial intelligence, urging a Manhattan federal court to reject arguments that training large language models on copyrighted texts violates copyright law.

The United States has a strong interest in this court rejecting any argument that training LLMs on copyrighted texts violates copyright law

— US government briefThe filing set out the government’s position in support of OpenAI’s fair-use arguments.

The government filed a brief supporting OpenAI in its dispute with The New York Times and other newspapers. It said AI training generally qualifies as fair use, arguing that restrictions could hinder scientific advancement, national security and economic mobility. A court brief does not have legal force, but the filing could strengthen technology companies facing similar claims.

“The United States has a strong interest in this court rejecting any argument that training LLMs on copyrighted texts violates copyright law,” the brief said. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said, “AI dominance is critical to promote national security, prosperity, and economic mobility for all Americans.” He added that the administration would not allow the United States to fall behind foreign adversaries because of what it called an incorrect interpretation of copyright law.

AI dominance is critical to promote national security, prosperity, and economic mobility for all Americans.

— Stanley WoodwardThe associate attorney general explained the administration’s broader rationale for supporting AI development.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick separately told G20 officials that countries should embrace fair use and allow AI companies to train models on creators’ work while finding ways to “protect artists”. The New York Times filed its lawsuit in 2023, accusing OpenAI and Microsoft of using millions of articles without permission. The case is one of dozens brought by authors, publishers, music labels and news organisations against companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms. The government described AI training as “extraordinarily” transformative, while noting that the first two judges to consider the case issued differing rulings last year.

protect artists

— Howard LutnickThe commerce secretary said countries should support AI training while finding ways to protect creators.
About this summary

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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