Title: OpenAI’s GPTBot Faces Blocks from Top News Publications as NYT Contemplates Legal Action
In the latest development surrounding OpenAI’s web crawler, GPTBot, popular news publications including The New York Times (NYT), CNN, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have enforced restrictions on granting access to Microsoft-backed OpenAI for training its AI models.
NYT recently blocked OpenAI’s web crawler, effectively halting the company’s ability to utilize content from the publication to enhance its AI models, as reported by The Verge. OpenAI’s GPTBot traditionally scans web pages to aid in the improvement of the company’s AI models.
OpenAI asserts that allowing GPTBot access to websites can significantly contribute to the accuracy, general capabilities, and safety of AI models. However, the NYT updated its terms of service this month, explicitly prohibiting the usage of its content for training AI models.
In line with this, CNN has confirmed that it has blocked GPTBot across its digital assets. Additionally, the Chicago Tribune and Australian Community Media (ACM) brands have reportedly taken similar measures against OpenAI’s web crawler.
Meanwhile, the NYT is evaluating the possibility of taking legal action against Microsoft-backed OpenAI to protect the intellectual property rights associated with its reporting. NPR reported that the two entities are currently engaged in tense negotiations over a licensing deal. The discussions have reached a point where legal action is now being considered, potentially resulting in a high-profile legal battle over copyright protection in the generative AI era.
With regard to the negotiations, OpenAI is in talks to pay NYT for the incorporation of its stories into the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) tools. A licensing agreement seems to be the desired outcome, but disagreements and tensions have complicated the process.
This ongoing dispute raises questions about the delicate balance between AI innovation and protecting intellectual property rights in the media industry.
In summary, major news publications such as NYT, CNN, and ABC have blocked OpenAI from accessing their content to train its AI models using the GPTBot web crawler. NYT is further exploring legal options to safeguard its intellectual property rights, as negotiations between the publication and OpenAI have become strained. This contentious situation has the potential to set a precedent for copyright protection within the generative AI era.
