Hollywood groups back The New York Times in OpenAI copyright case
Groups representing actors, musicians and writers have filed briefs backing The New York Times in its copyright case against OpenAI and Microsoft, Axios and Deadline report. Stars including Anne Hathaway signed one brief. The briefs support the argument that AI firms should not train on creative work without permission.
The briefs support the Times' argument that AI firms should not be allowed to use publishers' material to train their large language models, Axios reports. The case has become a proxy fight for the wider creative economy beyond journalism, Axios says.
Hollywood stars including Anne Hathaway, Bette Midler and Madonna backed the Times in a brief filed by The Human Consent Foundation, which includes the talent agency CAA, Axios reports.
Robert De Niro, Helen Mirren, Emma Thompson, Julia Roberts and Scarlett Johansson also signed the CAA brief, Deadline reports.
Major music groups, including the Recording Industry Association of America, ASCAP and BMI, filed their own brief, Axios says. Unions such as SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America also filed one, Axios reports.
The talent agency WME argued that AI use of creative work should not be stopped, but that it should be licensed, Axios reports.
“This case is about far more than one newspaper or one technology company,” CAA chief Bryan Lourd said, Deadline reports.
OpenAI and Microsoft have not responded in the cited reports.
De Niro signed the CAA brief to argue that technical silence is not legal consent, Deadline reports. Other signers include Ariana DeBose, Vince Gilligan, Rosario Dawson and Dan Levy, Deadline says.
OpenAI claims fair use, Deadline reports. The Justice Department backs OpenAI in the case, Deadline says.
What we know: Groups across music, film and TV have filed briefs backing the Times.
What we don't: How the court will weigh the briefs, and when it will rule.
Where outlets agree Axios and Deadline report that CAA and other creative groups filed briefs backing the Times.
Where they differ Axios reports that several briefs were filed on Friday, while Deadline reports that the CAA brief was filed on October 20.