Seattle Times and Newsday sue OpenAI and Microsoft over training data use
Two publications — the Seattle Times and Newsday — have filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging that their journalism was used to train AI systems without proper permission. The filings, highlighted in TechCrunch AI's coverage on September 5, 2026, focus on licensing, consent, and the transparency of data sources used to train large language models. This development signals another escalation in the ongoing debate over how news content is sourced for AI training and who holds rights to reproduction and monetization in the era of advanced artificial intelligence.
Publishers contend that their journalism was used to train AI systems without permission, raising questions about data rights and consent in AI development.
The suits argue that OpenAI and Microsoft incorporated the Seattle Times’ and Newsday’s reporting into training sets that power contemporary AI tools. While specific remedies and damages are not detailed in this briefing, the core assertion centers on licensing gaps, the scope of fair use, and the need for clearer boundaries around the use of journalistic content in machine learning pipelines.
Industry observers note that this move broadens a wave of legal actions challenging the data practices of AI developers. In addition to copyright considerations, the filings touch on broader questions of how news organizations can protect their intellectual property while staying relevant in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. The case could influence how publishers negotiate licensing terms, data access, and the boundaries of what content may be used to train future models.
From the perspective of the technology ecosystem, the lawsuits underscore the tension between rapid AI advancement and responsible content usage. Advocates for stronger data rights argue that publishers deserve clear licensing pathways and fair compensation when their work contributes to AI training. Opponents of stricter controls warn that limiting access to publicly accessible journalism could hamper the development of robust AI systems and slow innovation. The situation illustrates a broader policy debate about data governance, copyright protections, and the accountability of AI developers for the sources that inform model behavior.
The cases tie into the broader set of topics identified in the reporting — AI, Media & Entertainment, In Brief, Microsoft, Newsday, and OpenAI — and are likely to be watched closely by publishers, technologists, and policymakers as they navigate the complex terrain where journalism and artificial intelligence intersect. As more outlets consider similar actions, the industry may see a shift in how training data is curated, licensed, and disclosed to users of AI systems.
For readers seeking the latest developments, the TechCrunch AI briefing provides the initial framing of the dispute, underscoring the growing scrutiny of data provenance in AI training and the evolving relationship between news organizations and technology platforms.