A coalition of five major Canadian media organizations has launched legal action against OpenAI, claiming the AI powerhouse has systematically infringed on their copyrights by scraping content without permission or compensation.
The plaintiffs—Torstar, Postmedia, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press, and CBC/Radio-Canada—assert that OpenAI has exploited their journalistic work to train its generative AI systems for commercial gain. In their statement, the media companies argue, “Journalism serves the public interest. OpenAI using this work for profit without permission is not just unethical—it’s illegal.”
This case adds to the growing tide of lawsuits facing AI developers from authors, artists, and other copyright holders challenging the use of their work in training datasets.
Filed in Ontario’s superior court, the 84-page claim seeks damages and a permanent injunction to stop OpenAI from using their materials without explicit consent. The media companies allege that OpenAI has deliberately opted for “brazen misappropriation” over legitimate licensing or negotiation.
In defense, OpenAI maintains that its AI models rely on publicly available data under fair use and international copyright norms. A company spokesperson stated, “We work closely with publishers, providing tools for attribution and offering opt-out mechanisms. Our approach is designed to respect creators and their rights.”
Interestingly, the lawsuit does not implicate Microsoft, OpenAI’s key backer, despite recent accusations involving its role in AI development. Earlier this month, Elon Musk expanded a separate lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of attempting to monopolize the generative AI market.
This legal showdown underscores the escalating tension between creators and AI innovators, as the boundaries of intellectual property are tested in an increasingly digital landscape.
