Encyclopedia Britannica sues OpenAI over AI training

Encyclopedia Britannica and its subsidiary Merriam-Webster have sued OpenAI, claiming the generative AI (genAI) firm used their encyclopedia and dictionary texts to train AI models such as ChatGPT without permission, according to Reuters.

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The lawsuit alleges OpenAI copied nearly 100,000 articles from Britannica’s material and claims ChatGPT can reproduce content almost verbatim, which risks reducing online traffic to their own websites.

Britannica also accused OpenAI of trademark infringement, as the AI responses sometimes reference Britannica in a way that could give the impression the material is being used with permission. The company is now seeking financial compensation and wants the court to stop the alleged use of their material.

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AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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