Microsoft has argued that virtually none of its chatbot users were retrieving New York Times articles, according to court filings in the ongoing copyright lawsuit between the media company and AI developers.
What Happened
In filings related to the high-profile lawsuit brought by The New York Times against Microsoft and OpenAI, Microsoft's legal team claimed that usage data showed chatbot users were not substantially accessing NYT content through their systems. The company reportedly told the court that virtually nobody was grabbing New York Times articles through its Copilot chatbot feature.
Why It Matters
The claim is central to the defense strategy in a case that could reshape how AI companies train their models and handle copyrighted material. If proven, it would suggest AI chatbots are not directly reproducing news content at scale, potentially weakening arguments about systematic infringement. The outcome could influence how publishers negotiate with AI companies and set precedents for fair use claims in generative AI.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft's assertion that its chatbot saw minimal NYT content retrieval is now part of the evidentiary record in a case that remains unresolved. The New York Times lawsuit, filed in early 2024, seeks billions of dollars in damages and has become a bellwether for AI copyright disputes.