The Landscape Changed in 2024-2026
Since generative AI spread in 2023, training-data lawsuits surged worldwide. The central issue: "is unauthorized training fair use or copyright infringement?" Case law is accumulating, with conclusions diverging by region. Here are the main cases.
Text
NYT v. OpenAI / Microsoft (filed 2023.12)
The New York Times presented 100+ examples of "ChatGPT verbatim-reproducing NYT articles." It argues both unauthorized training-data use and brand dilution. A settlement or ruling in 2025-2026 is expected, an important suit that will be the industry's benchmark.
Others
- Authors Guild v. OpenAI (unauthorized training on books)
- Newspapers like Wall Street Journal, CNN, Daily Mail filing one after another
- OpenAI also concludes license contracts with AP, Axel Springer in parallel
Image
Getty Images v. Stability AI (US filed 2023.2, UK filed 2023.1)
Stock-photo giant Getty argues "Stable Diffusion trained on Getty's watermarked images." The UK ruling (2025) is partly favorable to Getty; the US continues into 2026. It includes the trademark-dilution issue, making it composite.
Artist Class Actions
- Sarah Andersen et al. v. Stability AI / Midjourney / DeviantArt
- Class action by Karla Ortiz et al. (US California)
- Issues: copyright scope of style imitation, legality of style transfer
