New York Times Takes Legal Action Against AI Startup Perplexity
The New York Times has recently initiated legal proceedings against the AI startup Perplexity, issuing a cease-and-desist letter that demands the company cease using its content for generative AI purposes. This move underscores a broader concern about the use of copyrighted material by AI technologies.
Cease-and-Desist Letter
The New York Times has accused Perplexity of utilizing its journalism without proper licensing, despite the presence of a robots.txt file that restricts automated access to its content. The letter claims that Perplexity’s practices infringe on copyright law by using the Times’ articles to generate answers and summaries through its AI platform.
Response from Perplexity
In response to the cease-and-desist notice, Perplexity’s CEO expressed a desire to resolve the issue amicably, stating that the company does not wish to be antagonistic. The startup argues that its use of the content is protected under the fair use doctrine, which permits limited use of copyrighted material without explicit permission.
Background Context
This legal action is part of a growing trend among traditional media companies to protect their intellectual property from AI technologies that scrape and utilize their content. The New York Times has previously taken similar actions against other AI companies, demonstrating a proactive approach to safeguarding its journalism.
Industry Implications
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between media organizations and AI startups, as the latter often depend on vast amounts of data, including news articles, to train their models. The outcome of this dispute could establish significant precedents regarding copyright and fair use in the context of AI.
References
- The Verge: New York Times warns AI search engine Perplexity to stop using its content
- CNBC: NYT sends AI startup Perplexity ‘cease and desist’ notice over content use
- Engadget: The New York Times tells Perplexity to stop using its content
This legal action is part of a larger conversation about the rights of content creators in the age of AI and the responsibilities of AI companies in using such content.