News Outlets Seek Sanctions Against OpenAI Over Evidence Destruction
A coalition of 17 media outlets, including The New York Times and The New York Daily News, has submitted a motion in federal court in Manhattan requesting sanctions against OpenAI. They allege that OpenAI has concealed and destroyed evidence in a copyright case, claiming the company misrepresented its capability to locate copyrighted content and rendered billions of ChatGPT interactions inaccessible. The motion asserts that OpenAI opted for obstruction rather than providing necessary evidence. Steven Lieberman, representing The Daily News, accused OpenAI of misrepresentations over the past two years. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri refuted these claims. The publishers are pursuing financial penalties and a judicial ruling on the misuse of copyrighted materials. This legal action commenced in late 2023 when The Times initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft.
Key facts
- Motion filed Thursday in Manhattan federal court by The New York Times, The New York Daily News, and 15 other media organizations.
- Alleges OpenAI withheld and destroyed evidence in copyright lawsuit.
- Publishers claim OpenAI misled court about ability to search for copyrighted material.
- OpenAI allegedly rendered billions of ChatGPT exchanges inaccessible.
- Motion states: 'Instead of just producing that evidence at the start of the case and focusing on the merits of its fair use defense, OpenAI chose obstruction.'
- Deposition of OpenAI employee contradicts company's earlier representations.
- Steven Lieberman (Daily News counsel) accused OpenAI of two years of misrepresentations.
- Ian B. Crosby (Times lead counsel) said OpenAI 'lied to The Times, the Daily News plaintiffs, the public and the court.'
- OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri denied allegations, citing user privacy and fair use.
- Publishers seek monetary penalties, attorney fees, and court finding of misuse.
- Original lawsuit filed by Times against OpenAI and Microsoft in late 2023.
- Case consolidated with suits from MediaNews Group and Ziff Davis.
- Times has spent over $28 million on AI-related litigation.
- OpenAI and peers argue training on written material is fair use.
Entities
Institutions
- The New York Times
- The New York Daily News
- OpenAI
- Microsoft
- MediaNews Group
- Ziff Davis
- Manhattan federal court
- New York Times
- Daily News
- Center for Investigative Reporting
- The Intercept
- Susman Godfrey
- U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York
- United States
Sources
- Quartz —
- ArtsJournal —